What connects Robert Capa, László Moholy-Nagy, Martin Munkácsi, and André Kertész? All four were world-famous photographers of Hungarian Jewish descent. They left Hungary between the two world wars, built careers abroad—mostly in America—and became icons of modern photography.
And then there is Imre Kinszki, a talented contemporary of theirs who remained in Hungary and lost his life in the Holocaust.
“It's not enough to be talented; you have to be Hungarian.” – Robert Capa
Born 120 years ago, Imre Kinszki was a Jewish photographer who lovingly captured everyday life in Budapest and the intimate moments of his family. He could have been one of the leading figures of modern European photography, but his life and career were cut short by the Second World War. Like many other Jewish men, he was sent to forced labor service. He never returned home, despite the hopes of his wife and daughter.
In 2001, Centropa interviewed his daughter, Judit Kinszki, who shared their family’s history. The short film Love on a Paper Airplane, based on this interview, is one of our most popular educational resources and is frequently used by teachers in their classrooms. Judit remains an active member of Centropa’s Holocaust survivors’ program and regularly meets with student groups to share her life story. Thanks to her, we can tell her family’s story on this walk and highlight the significant places in Imre Kinszki’s life.
Names like Endre Friedmann, László Weisz, Márk Mermelstein, and Andor Kohn may not ring a bell—but these were the birth names of Robert Capa, László Moholy-Nagy, Martin Munkácsi, and André Kertész. As Kinszki’s contemporaries, their lives took a different turn: they emigrated to the West and were professionally recognized for their work. Today, they are considered towering figures in 20th-century photography. Some believe Kinszki belongs among them.
This walking tour uses that parallel to highlight the value of Imre Kinszki’s work and the broader impact of these five Hungarian Jewish photographers. It also explores how geography—especially the role of the West and the United States—shaped professional recognition and artistic legacy.
During the walking tour, students will learn about the lives and work of these five photographers, gain insight into the early 20th-century history of Hungarian Jewry, and take part in creative photo exercises. After the tour, there is an opportunity to meet and talk with Judit Kinszki.
For more information, please contact Sára Szilágyi at szilagyi [at] centropa.org (szilagyi[at]centropa[dot]org)
