György Kepes

American, born Hungary, 1906 - 2001

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The image shows a large rusted curved metal object against a background of grid lines and what appears to be a heart rate graph. A red leaf is at the top left, a colorful card is at the bottom center with a smaller paper to the right. The color palette includes rust tones, white lines, red, blue, and brown on the card. The setup is on a dark background with grid patterns and organic shapes.
György Kepes, Leaf, etc., 1985, dye diffusion transfer print (Polacolor), Gift of Fern M. Schad, 2018.206.14

Leaf, etc.

György Kepes · 1985 · dye diffusion transfer print (Polacolor) ·  Accession ID  2018.206.14

A bundle of red flowers is set on a background featuring ECG-like patterns. There is a clear prism-like object on the right side of the image. The color scheme is mainly greenish-blue with red accents from the flowers and black from the ECG lines. The flowers are arranged diagonally across the lower portion of the image, and the prism is centrally positioned to the right and slightly above the flowers on the graph-paper background.
György Kepes, Flowers, etc., 1982, dye diffusion transfer print (Polacolor), Gift of Fern M. Schad, 2013.143.9

Flowers, etc.

György Kepes · 1982 · dye diffusion transfer print (Polacolor) ·  Accession ID  2013.143.9

The image shows a dynamic composition of lines and shapes on a dark background. In the center is a circular shape with shading to imply depth. The intersecting white lines suggest a network or paths, creating an engaging image.
György Kepes, Photogram, 1952, gelatin silver print, Gift of Fern M. Schad, 2018.206.7

Photogram

György Kepes · 1952 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.206.7

György Kepes, Self-Portrait in Tree Branch, c. 1949, gelatin silver print, Gift of Manfred Heiting, Los Angeles, 2025.100.55

Self-Portrait in Tree Branch

György Kepes · c. 1949 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2025.100.55

The image displays sharp angles and bold lines, with concentric circles at the center. Various geometric patterns are present, including a grid-like structure in the top area, a large triangle to the right, and a pattern of dots along the edge. Light and shadow enhance the visual appeal.
György Kepes, Light Abstraction, 1941, gelatin silver print, Gift of Fern M. Schad, 2018.206.11

Light Abstraction

György Kepes · 1941 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.206.11

The image features intersecting lines and circles creating a geometric array of shapes. A wire grid resembling a section of a fence with curved lines and transparent circular forms. The composition evokes a scientific or architectural drawing with grid lines creating depth and precision, while circular elements distort shapes beneath them.
György Kepes, Untitled, 1940, gelatin silver print, Gift of Eric Ceputis and David W. Williams, 2020.119.7

Untitled

György Kepes · 1940 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2020.119.7

The image shows overlapping circles and diagonal lines. The composition consists of concentric circles in yellow and white, resembling ripple effects. There are soft gradients and triangular shapes in the background, giving a sense of depth. The overall design creates an abstract scene, suggesting a cosmic or planetary system.
György Kepes, Photogram (Yellow and White Circles), 1939, gelatin silver print with gouache, Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase with funds from the Women's Committee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art), 2015.19.5092

Photogram (Yellow and White Circles)

György Kepes · 1939 · gelatin silver print with gouache ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5092

The image shows a close-up of a woman's face, with her head slightly tilted to one side. Her facial features are visible, including lips and a partial view of her eyes covered by a red, lace-like leaf pattern. A dark peacock feather is placed on the left side of her face, contrasting with her skin tone. Her dark hair is styled back, and no clothing is visible. The background is nondescript and dark, emphasizing her features and the overlay elements.
György Kepes, Juliet with Peacock Feather and Red Leaf, 1937-1938, gelatin silver print with red gouache, Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund, 2014.20.1

Juliet with Peacock Feather and Red Leaf

György Kepes · 1937-1938 · gelatin silver print with red gouache ·  Accession ID  2014.20.1

The image shows a profile of a person from the shoulders up, with their head turned to the side. It is a double exposure or composite, with multiple overlapping outlines of the person's profile. The facial features are obscured, and the hair details are faint. The person is cloaked, making detailed observation challenging due to the high contrast and overlapping layers. Geometric lines intersect across the picture, overlaying circular shapes for an abstract composition. The background is dark, highlighting the light outlines of the person's profile for a graphical contrast.
György Kepes, The Two Faces of Juliet, 1937, printed c. 1950, gelatin silver print, Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase with funds from the Women's Committee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art), 2015.19.5093

The Two Faces of Juliet

György Kepes · 1937, printed c. 1950 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2015.19.5093

György Kepes, Face Sculpture with Bird, c. 1939, gelatin silver print, Gift of Manfred Heiting, Los Angeles, 2025.100.16

Face Sculpture with Bird

György Kepes · c. 1939 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2025.100.16

Bibliography

2002

  • Taken by Design: Photographs from the Institute of Design, 1937-1971. Exh. cat. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 2002: 32, cat. 89, pl. 30.