André Kertész (American, born Hungary, 1894 - 1985) Underwater Swimmer, Esztergom, Hungary, 1917 (printed later) Gelatin-silver photograph, mounted, and printed in the 1970's / early 1980's from the 1917 negative. Signed and dated by the photographer in the lower margin of the mount in pencil. Image size: 7 inches x 9.625 inches. Frame size: 16.6 inches x 20.5 inches. Condition: excellent

Notes on the photograph (from the Getty Museum): Jagged reflections strike the water in electric bolts of light as a swimmer glides through the pool, his curious form looking like a disembodied crab claw. His striped trunks help identify his human form as his head disappears in the movement of the water. The swimmer casts a deep shadow on the shallow bottom, while other shadows melt into the fluid scene, circling his body like swarming black fish. In Andre Kertész's split-second exposure, the swimmer's extended body seems to hover suspended in the water.

This image is considered by many authorities to be the first "surreal" photograph.

Photographs by André Kertész can be found in every major photography collection across the globe, including: The Museum of Modern Art, NY, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, The Getty Museum, CA, The Art Institute of Chicago, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The National Gallery, Washington, The Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris to name just a few.