Enthusiasm and awe

I was introduced to the work of Andre Kertesz a few days ago. There was a very fine exhibit at the National Gallery of Art and being interested in photography, I decided to go. I was greatly impressed. Kertesz has an extraordinary eye for pictoral composition. All of the pictures were in black and white and were shot with sensitivity and taste. I appreciated his awareness of line and shadow particularly. But perhaps far surpassing all of these qualities was the enthusiasm and joy which pervaded much of his work—especially his early years. He seemed overwhelmed by delight and wonder at the world around him and expressed what he saw with energy. This was the most enjoyable aspect for me. To experience so strongly an artist’s awe and his desire to express the awesome is a truly beautiful thing.