|Contextual notes: | There was a movement of artists and
intellectuals throughout Europe following the First World War
and this led to a spread of ideas and photographic styles. André
Kertész (Hungarian, 1894-1985) and Brassai (Hungarian,
1899-1984) moved to Paris and Bill Brandt (German, 1904-1983)
moved to London. This is significant as they saw their adopted
countries with the enquiring eyes of outsiders. They all took
night photographs in the cities they had moved to and they seem
to be amused observers rather than participants in the
activities that take place. In 1933 Brassai's photographs were
published in the book "Paris by Night" a project that Kertész
had already turned down. The 1928 photograph of Meudon by André
Kertész is an extraordinary combination of activities, the train
moving from right to left on the viaduct, the man with wrapped
parcel crossing to the right, all happening seemingly at random.
Hans-Michael Koetzle in his 2002 book "Photo Icons: The Story
Behind the Pictures - Volume 2" (Ko