André Kertész’s On Reading, published in 1971, is an exploration of reading as a universal human activity, showcasing images captured over nearly six decades across four continents. Completed during the late stage of Kertész’s career, the series contains 66 black-and-white photographs that reflect a lifetime of interest in documenting the act of reading. As a Hungarian-born photographer who emigrated to France and later the United States, Kertész’s transcontinental perspective enriches the project, showcasing individuals from various cultures and contexts united by their engagement with the written word.
Contextually, On Reading reflects the cultural and technological shifts of its time, notably the decline of print media and the growing dominance of television as the primary communication medium. Amidst this transition, Kertész’s emphasis on the tactile and timeless act of reading underscores its enduring significance, serving as a counterpoint to the ephemeral nature of broadcast media.
The project explores reading as both a solitary and universal act, capturing individuals immersed in books, newspapers, or manuscripts during moments of quiet introspection. Kertész presents reading as a means of escape, intellectual engagement, and self-discovery, while also highlighting its ability to foster empathy and connect people across time and space. These themes are conveyed through Kertész’s distinctive humanist approach, which highlights the beauty in everyday moments and underscores the poetic and contemplative nature of ordinary life.
Kertész’s compositions often focus on isolating the reader within their surroundings, utilizing balanced framing and varied perspectives to emphasize the act of reading. Overhead angles draw attention to the reader’s engagement, while wider perspectives contextualize the reader within their environment, enriching the narrative through a sense of place. Technically, Kertész’s use of a 35mm portable camera allowed him to capture candid moments unobtrusively.
On release in 1971 (Grossman Publishers), On Reading drew broad critical notice for its clarity and accessibility. Its visibility expanded through subsequent editions—including Lectures (Le Chêne, 1975) and a 1982 paperback—and a dedicated exhibition at the New York Public Library (1983). The period consolidated Kertész’s standing: the retrospective André Kertész: Sixty Years of Photography, 1912–1972 won the Prix Nadar (1973), and he received a Guggenheim Fellowship (1974), developments widely regarded as affirming the series’ continuing influence.
