Brassaï, born Gyula Halász on September 9, 1899, in Brassó, Transylvania (then part of Austria-Hungary, now Brașov, Romania), was a Hungarian-born French photographer renowned for his evocative images of Parisian nightlife in the 1930s. After studying painting and sculpture in Budapest and Berlin, he moved to Paris in 1924, immersing himself in the city’s vibrant artistic circles, which included luminaries like Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Salvador Dalí. Initially working as a journalist and artist, Brassaï turned to photography to complement his articles, eventually discovering a passion for capturing the city’s nocturnal essence. 

Adopting the pseudonym “Brassaï,” meaning “from Brassó,” he embarked on nightly excursions through Paris, documenting its diverse inhabitants and atmospheric streets. His seminal work, Paris de Nuit (Paris by Night), published in 1933, showcased 64 photographs that illuminated both the glamour and grit of the city after dark. Utilizing a Voigtländer plate camera, tripod, and flash, he overcame the technical challenges of night photography to produce images that were both candid and composed.  

Brassaï’s lens captured a wide spectrum of Parisian life—from the opulence of opera-goers and café society to the rawness of streetwalkers, laborers, and the homeless. His work resonated with the Surrealist movement, reflecting a fascination with the city’s hidden and often marginalized facets. Beyond photography, he was also a writer, sculptor, and filmmaker, contributing to various artistic disciplines throughout his career. 

Conchita and the sailors 1932

Couple 1932

Sleeping man in straw hat 1933-34

Morris Column 1933

Prostitute in the Quarter Italie 1932-33

The winding stream 1931-32

Montmartre 1930-31

On the boulevard Saint-Jacques 1930-32