Imre von Santhó was a graphic artist, illustrator, and fashion photographer in the first half of the 20th century. The Hungarian-born artist, known as Imre von Santhó, traveled to many countries during his lifetime, provoking scandal with his nude drawings and achieving success with his photographs. He lived in Berlin in the 1920s and 30s, where he worked with fashion models and movie stars, and his photos were published in renowned magazines. Despite all this, his works are little known in Hungary.
He was a versatile artist: he designed a poster for an early Mihály Kertész movie; he caused a stir with his scandalous nude drawings; exhibited at the artists’ club Fészek Művészklub, alongside Pál Molnár C. and István Zádor, among others; he was featured alongside the graphic artist Heinrich Zille in a German magazine; and designed a cover inspired by a photograph of Edward Steichen, an important figure in the history of photography.
Elegance and Experimentation, the first exhibition in Hungary dedicated to him, focuses primarily on his spectacular fashion photographs, but also showcases previously unseen graphics, illustrations, and documents. Santhó’s photographs are characterized by subtle elegance and harmonious composition, light and shadow effects, and a variety of locations. At the same time, he used experimental techniques and bold framing more than others, so his photos still appear remarkably fresh to today’s viewers. As journalist Werner Suhr wrote about him in 1936: “Santhó produces fashion photographs with such an interesting personal perspective that even those without the slightest interest in fashion enjoy exploring.”