Life and Work: Does Biography Matter?

This chapter examines the titular question through an examination of the life and work of photographer Andre Kertesz. Just how much does the photographer themselves, and by extension their life, affect the perception of their photographs? In the worst case, Rexer holds, attaching photographs to an artist's biography can reduce them to mere "illustrations of a story", rather than the deeply meaningful works of art they can be. I don't think Kertesz's work is subject to this effect in this chapter however. Though several of his works are presented alongside the biographical events of his life, the photographs still retain substantive meaning on their own. His photographs serve not only as a window into his own life, but also in many cases a door to the hidden emotions, concepts, and idiosyncrasies that populated his thoughts. Kertesz's journey proves a captivating one, through inspiration, pitfalls, love and death. It makes me wonder what that unidentifiable element is that wills someone to be so inspired and so prolific in any given art form. The chapter mentions a period of 14 years in which "[Kertesz's] soul went to sleep" while he worked commercially for "House and Garden". In his older years however, he is rejuvenated as "the photographer recovered his emotional connection to place." The elusiveness of inspiration and true artistic genius makes me wonder if one can truly "learn" to be an artist. Undoubtedly, technical skill can be learned through hard work and determination. But true artistry? Can it be taught?