Born as Rózsa Klein in 1900 in Hungary, she became known to the world as Rogi André. Though they lived on opposite sides of the world and followed different paths, her life in many ways echoed that of her contemporary, Frida Kahlo.
The journey begun
Fate confined both artists to a brace — Rogi suffered from severe scoliosis and had to wear a metal corset regularly. Both were deeply devoted to photography. Both were in love with painting. Rogi began her career as a painter and visual artist, eventually moving from Budapest to Paris — the heart of the European avant-garde — to develop and share her talents.
Paris: The City of Turning Points
In the flourishing cultural capital, she met many Hungarian émigré artists — including her future husband, André Kertész. It was then that her professional path shifted, as Kertész introduced her to photography. Once again, her story echoed that of Frida Kahlo: both women adored — and fell desperately in love with — their artist husbands. Both were betrayed. During her brief marriage, Rogi broke into the avant-garde art world.
Never photograph anything that doesn’t excite you. Only shoot what you’re passionately interested in.
Rogi
The Art of the Body: Light, Shadow, Form
Her early works — soft nudes caressed by light and shadow — gained her significant recognition. Over time, her focus shifted increasingly toward portrait photography. In Budapest, the exhibition “More Light, More Shadow” honors her legacy on the 125th anniversary of her birth.
Recognition and Sitters: Breton, Picasso, and the Galleries of the World
Among her many artistic achievements was her inclusion in Mad Love (L’Amour fou), the surrealist prose collection by André Breton — the father of surrealism.
Picasso himself held Rogi’s talent in high esteem. Her works found a home in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries.
Many prominent figures patiently posed before her large-format camera, enduring long exposure times. This method — combined with her deep passion for darkroom work — allowed her to capture portraits rich in character. Each image highlighted a defining trait of the sitter, transforming André’s portfolio into a truly singular body of work.
Beyond technical mastery, it was her disarming nature that fostered the trust essential for her models to fully surrender to her lens — holding their poses through long exposures. In the darkroom, she continued shaping each image with careful retouching, refining them until they reached their intended emotional depth and artistic message.
Faces of the Soul – Portraits from the Darkroom
In one of her portraits of Picasso, she captured his piercing, analytical gaze — later enlarging the pupils unnaturally in the darkroom to emphasize his sharp, observant nature. Her portrait of Luis Buñuel, sculpted in light and shadow, is similarly gaze-centric and intense, while her image of poet-painter Mac Jacob preserves a timeless moment of nostalgic trust.
Charles Peignot — a leading figure in typography — was captured by Rogi in a lifelike portrait that radiates natural confidence. The image reflects the cleaner, more minimalist thread woven through her rich and diverse photographic portfolio.
Images of Eternity – From Documentary to Abstraction
Throughout her life, Rogi also excelled in a documentary style, where her masterful use of light and shadow remained unmistakable. Her abstract works and photographic torsos reflect her avant-garde spirit, continuing to remind photography lovers of her artistic brilliance.
Thanks to her life’s work, the true character of countless iconic figures from the past century shines through her lens — much like Frida Kahlo’s photographic collection, which captured the vibrant cultural spirit of her era for all time.
Because both women knew: capturing moments matters.
All images were taken by the author.
