Museum of Fine Arts, 27. 10. 2010 – 20. 02. 2011.

Text: György Szegő

Unité d'Habitation, Nantes-Rezé, építész: Le Corbuiser, 1954

Within a short period three excellent photographers „returned home“ thanks to exhibitions of high standards. Although in the case of Munkácsi it is impossible, works by Capa and Hervé exhibited now shall remain here: the former is to enrich the collection of the Hungarian National Museum, whilst the latter is to be treasured in the Museum of Fine Arts. It is true that Hervé made photographs of many buildings and famous architects regarded him as an understanding and knowing interpreter of their works, but the success of this harmonious cooperation was not due to the fact that Hervé made good „architectural“ photos: architects actually appreciated what they received instead of them. Hervé made photos of life itself: a building was not a technical object for him but a space for life even during its construction. We should keep in mind that Corbusier, for example, travelled with a sketchbook but without a camera. He regarded his quickly drawn sketches more essential than precise photographic representation, and he appreciated Hervé‘s photographs also for their ability to reveal the essence of their subjects. It is not enough to be technically talented in order to become a great architect. Hervé was not a technical thinker either: he was actually a humanist. His works are defined by unlimited order which is not at all bleak or inhuman. It is human beings or their marks that fill this order with meaning, intellect and beauty.