The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 13, 2025

Circus, Budapest

1920, printed 1980

André Kertész

(American, 1894–1985)
printer

Hyperion Press

America
gelatin silver print
Image: 24.6 x 19.6 cm (9 11/16 x 7 11/16 in.); Paper: 25 x 20.3 cm (9 13/16 x 8 in.)
Gift of Alan and Monah L. Gettner 2021.116
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

When he was drafted to fight in World War I, André Kertész’s family bought him a light, easily handled camera so he could take it with him to the front.

Description

Did this couple peeking at a small circus through a hole in the wall know they were being photographed? Most likely, Kertész was using his lightweight, handheld camera and caught them unaware. If so, then he becomes as much a voyeur as the couple.
  • 1980-2021
    Alan and Monah L. Gettner, New York, NY
    June 7, 2021
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Kertész, André, and Hilton Kramer. Hungarian Memories. 1982.
  • {{cite web|title=Circus, Budapest|url=false|author=André Kertész, Hyperion Press|year=1920, printed 1980|access-date=13 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2021.116