André Kertész, Man Reading with Magnifying Glass, NY, 1959
© The Estate of André Kertész / Courtesy of Stephen Bulger Gallery
Isn't this the most amazing photograph? It's part of an exhibition called On Reading by Hungarian-born André Kertész (1894–1985) at The Photographers' Gallery in London.
I stumbled upon it last night and immediately fired off an email to the press office to request permission to use this particular image for a post; they kindly obliged.
According to the exhibition notes, Kertész's "father was a bookseller, which might explain why he took so many photographs of people reading". The gallery's official website adds:
Everyone can relate to the excitement of opening a book, reading the first lines of a novel and getting lost in a parallel, imaginary world. Kertész was intrigued by the universal appeal of reading, revelling in the privacy of the moment. Over the course of his career, Kertész captured readers of all ages in various locations – on rooftops and balconies, in parks, on crowded streets, at train stations, in libraries – creating a poetic study of the act of reading.
If you're in London and want to see the exhibition you'll need to hurry -- it closes on October 8. The Photographers' Gallery is located at 16 - 18 Ramillies Street London W1F 7LW. Tel: 0845 262 1618. Entry is free.
UPDATE
In the comments below tolmsted (BookSexy) asked whether an exhibition catalog might be available for those too far away to visit the gallery. I'm pleased to say The Photographers' Gallery bookshop sells an 80-page hardcover book called On Reading by André Kertész, which retails for £17.99. I've not seen the book myself so I can't vouch for its quality, nor tell you how many photographs it contains, but I suspect it's rather nice. Perhaps something to add to the wishlist, or request as a Christmas gift?
There's an older second-hand paperback version (published by Penguin in 1983) available on Amazon Markeplace at the cheaper price of £10.95.
