Couple d'hommes au bal 'Magic-City'
Photograph
1932 (photographed)
1932 (photographed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Brassaï was born in 1899 as Gyula Halász in the Transylvanian town of Brassó. He grew up in Budapest and spent the early 1920s in Berlin, training as a painter and working as a journalist. He moved to Paris in 1924, where he stayed until his death in 1984. He took up photography in Paris initially to support his written journalism, though he soon committed himself to a solely photographic practice. Brassaï is most well-known for his images of Parisian life, featuring brothels, prostitutes, city streets, architecture and high society alike. His first book, ‘Paris by Night’, was published in 1933 and established his reputation as a serious photographer.
Some of Brassaï’s most iconic images depict the scandalous nightlife in bars and brothels, exposing the city’s debaucherous underbelly. Scenes of prostitution, sexual interactions and nudity are not uncommon and present an almost practical view of the working women. Brassaï also frequented dance halls, depicting performers, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ community. Overall, the indiscriminate scope of Brassaï’s photographs present this previously unseen side of Paris alongside more traditional subject matter such as society functions and opera dancers. His ability to document a complete cross section of society provides an authentic glimpse into Parisian life in the 1930s.
Some of Brassaï’s most iconic images depict the scandalous nightlife in bars and brothels, exposing the city’s debaucherous underbelly. Scenes of prostitution, sexual interactions and nudity are not uncommon and present an almost practical view of the working women. Brassaï also frequented dance halls, depicting performers, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ community. Overall, the indiscriminate scope of Brassaï’s photographs present this previously unseen side of Paris alongside more traditional subject matter such as society functions and opera dancers. His ability to document a complete cross section of society provides an authentic glimpse into Parisian life in the 1930s.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Couple d'hommes au bal 'Magic-City' (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Gelatin silver print |
Brief description | Photograph by Brassaï, 'Couple d'hommes au bal "Magic-City", rue Cognacq-Jay' [Male couple at the Magic City dance hall, rue Cognac-Jay], Paris, 1932 |
Physical description | Black and white photograph of two men dancing. One man is dressed in ladies' late 19th/early 20th century dress, with a satin gown, long gloves, a neck ruff, a hat and a veil. The other man is dressed in a mens' suit with a white pocket square. |
Dimensions |
|
Styles | |
Marks and inscriptions | Verso:
Top left, pencil: '22.5x29'
Top, pencil: 'pas dans le Paris Secret 30'
Top right, pencil: 'Pl. 440'
Centre, red ink: 'PP.440'
Centre, stamped in blue ink: 'BRASSAÏ / 81, Rue du Faub.-St-Jacques / PARIS-XIVe - PORt-Royal 23-41'
Bottom right, stamped in purple ink: '© COPYRIGHT by / BRASSAÏ / 81, Faubourg St-Jacques / PARIS 14eme Tél. 707.23.41'
Bottom right, stamped in black ink': 'SUCCESSION / BRASSAÏ / ESTATE'
|
Credit line | Bequest of Gilberte Boyer Brassaï |
Object history | This object came to the museum as part of a bequest of 99 photographs by Brassaï from his widow, Madame Gilberte Boyer. |
Subjects depicted | |
Place depicted | |
Summary | Brassaï was born in 1899 as Gyula Halász in the Transylvanian town of Brassó. He grew up in Budapest and spent the early 1920s in Berlin, training as a painter and working as a journalist. He moved to Paris in 1924, where he stayed until his death in 1984. He took up photography in Paris initially to support his written journalism, though he soon committed himself to a solely photographic practice. Brassaï is most well-known for his images of Parisian life, featuring brothels, prostitutes, city streets, architecture and high society alike. His first book, ‘Paris by Night’, was published in 1933 and established his reputation as a serious photographer. Some of Brassaï’s most iconic images depict the scandalous nightlife in bars and brothels, exposing the city’s debaucherous underbelly. Scenes of prostitution, sexual interactions and nudity are not uncommon and present an almost practical view of the working women. Brassaï also frequented dance halls, depicting performers, ethnic minorities and members of the LGBTQ community. Overall, the indiscriminate scope of Brassaï’s photographs present this previously unseen side of Paris alongside more traditional subject matter such as society functions and opera dancers. His ability to document a complete cross section of society provides an authentic glimpse into Parisian life in the 1930s. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.923-2014 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | April 15, 2015 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON