Accession Number
2013/2.297

Title
Carrefours, Blois

Artist(s)
André Kertész

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1930, printed circa 1970

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
9 5/8 in x 7 1/16 in (24.45 cm x 17.94 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Maxine and Lawrence K. Snider

Subject matter
One of a number of aerial views that André Kertész photographed in the 1930s, this scene depicts a T-shaped intersection in Blois, France. Photographing straight down, Kertész creates an unusual, flattened perspective on the street below, in which the roof tiles in the lower left corner provide a visual parallel with the cobblestones that pave the street and sidewalk far below. Old and new come together in this scene, as the photographer's perspective transforms the aging architecture into a series of abstract geometric shapes and patterns, a highly modern composition that is interrupted by a horse-drawn cart that bisects the center of the image.

Physical Description
Aerial view of a cobblestone-paved intersection showing a horse-drawn carriage, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
aerial photography
architecture (object genre)
carriages (vehicles)
carts
cyclists
horses (equipment)
intersections
street scenes
streets