Gyula Halász

photographer

Hungarian-French[4] b. 9 September 1899, Brassó, Transylvania, Kingdom of Hungary (now Brașov, Romania)[1] d. 8 July 1984, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France[2,3] active 1920–1984

Gyula Halász (1899–1984), known by the pseudonym Brassaï, was a Hungarian-French photographer, sculptor, writer, and filmmaker. Born in Brassó, Transylvania, he moved to Paris in 1924 where he became a central figure in the artistic circles of Montparnasse. He is renowned for his evocative photographs of Parisian nightlife, street scenes, and social life during the interwar period. His work often captured the city's atmosphere in rain, fog, and at night, earning him the nickname 'the eye of Paris.' Brassaï was a founding member of the Rapho agency and received international acclaim for his photographic books and exhibitions, including shows at MoMA and the Art Institute of Chicago. He became a naturalized French citizen in 1949.[5]

  • Parisian nightlife
  • street photography
  • surrealism

Books

Works by Gyula Halász

  • 1933 Paris de Nuit (Paris by Night) Arts et Métiers Graphiques · book · French First collection of his photographs.
  • 1976 The Secret Paris of the 30s Thames & Hudson · book · English · ISBN 0-500-27108-9 The book in question.
  • 1964 Conversations with Picasso Éditions Gallimard · book · French Memoir.

Exhibitions

  • 1956 Brassaï Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City · solo
  • 1998 Brassaï National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. · solo

Awards

  • 1979 International Photography Hall of Fame Induction International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum

References

  1. Brassaï. Wikipedia. 2026 link
  2. Andy Grundberg. Brassaï, Photographer of Paris Nightlife, Dies. The New York Times. 1984 link
  3. Brassaï. Wikipedia. 2026 link
  4. Brassaï. Wikipedia. 2026 link
  5. Brassaï. Wikipedia. 2026 link