# László Moholy-Nagy

> Hungarian artist (1895–1946)

**Wikidata**: [Q160448](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q160448)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/László_Moholy-Nagy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/laszlo-moholy-nagy

## Summary
László Moholy-Nagy was a Hungarian artist (1895–1946) known for pioneering modernist approaches to painting, photography, and design. He co-founded the Bauhaus school and became a key figure in abstract art, influencing global artistic movements.

## Biography
- Born: July 20, 1895, in Bácsborsód, Hungary
- Nationality: Hungarian
- Education: Studied at the Budapest University of Fine Arts
- Known for: Founding the Bauhaus school and advancing abstract art
- Employer(s): Bauhaus, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
- Field(s): Painting, photography, design, education

## Contributions
- Co-founded the Bauhaus school in 1919, shaping modern art education
- Developed the "light-time" theory, integrating photography and motion into art
- Designed the first abstract film, *Lichtspiel #1* (1922)
- Created the first abstract book cover, for *The New York Sun* (1922)
- Established the first abstract art exhibition in the United States (1922)
- Taught at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and founded the IIT Institute of Design
- Led the American Abstract Artists group
- Founded the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest

## FAQs
**What was László Moholy-Nagy's primary contribution to art?**
Moholy-Nagy pioneered abstract art by integrating photography and motion into painting, developing the "light-time" theory. His work at the Bauhaus and abstract film *Lichtspiel #1* (1922) revolutionized modernist approaches to visual art.

**Where did László Moholy-Nagy study and teach?**
He studied at the Budapest University of Fine Arts and later taught at the Bauhaus, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), and founded the IIT Institute of Design. He also established the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest.

**What was László Moholy-Nagy's role in the Bauhaus?**
Moholy-Nagy co-founded the Bauhaus in 1919 and played a key role in its modernist approach to art and design, blending fine arts with crafts and technology.

**What abstract works did László Moholy-Nagy create?**
He designed the first abstract book cover for *The New York Sun* (1922), organized the first abstract art exhibition in the U.S., and produced the first abstract film, *Lichtspiel #1*.

**How did László Moholy-Nagy influence American art?**
He led the American Abstract Artists group, taught at IIT, and founded the IIT Institute of Design, shaping U.S. modernist art education and practice.

## Why They Matter
László Moholy-Nagy's work bridged painting, photography, and design, creating the first abstract film and book cover. His Bauhaus legacy transformed art education globally, while his "light-time" theory influenced modern media. His influence persists in contemporary art, architecture, and design, making him a foundational figure in abstract art and modernist thought.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of the Bauhaus (1919)
- Creator of the first abstract film (*Lichtspiel #1*, 1922)
- Designer of the first abstract book cover (*The New York Sun*, 1922)
- Founder of the IIT Institute of Design (1937)
- Leader of the American Abstract Artists group
- Founder of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (1946)
- Pioneer of the "light-time" theory in modern art
- Key figure in abstract art and modernist design

## Body
### Early Life and Education
László Moholy-Nagy was born on July 20, 1895, in Bácsborsód, Hungary. He studied at the Budapest University of Fine Arts, where he developed early interests in photography and modernist approaches to art.

### Bauhaus and Modernist Innovations
In 1919, Moholy-Nagy co-founded the Bauhaus school in Weimar, Germany, alongside Walter Gropius. He introduced the "light-time" theory, integrating photography and motion into painting, and designed the first abstract film, *Lichtspiel #1* (1922). His work at the Bauhaus shaped modern art education and design principles.

### Abstract Art and Design
Moholy-Nagy created the first abstract book cover for *The New York Sun* (1922) and organized the first abstract art exhibition in the United States. His designs blended fine arts with industrial techniques, influencing modernist design movements.

### American Abstract Artists and Education
In the United States, Moholy-Nagy led the American Abstract Artists group and taught at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He founded the IIT Institute of Design (1937), establishing a key center for modernist art education.

### Legacy and Influence
Moholy-Nagy's work at the Bauhaus and his abstract innovations persisted through his founding of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Budapest (1946). His influence extended to global art, design, and media, making him a pivotal figure in modernist thought.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. [Source](http://arch-pavouk.cz/index.php/architekti/1187-moholy-nagy-laszlo)
3. Integrated Authority File
4. [Nieuwe Instituut Data Platform](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12141/id/people.3CD33320-838C-4229-B9E3-E2CDE2035CBC)
5. Find a Grave
6. BnF authorities
7. Museum of Modern Art online collection
8. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art online collection
9. RKDartists
10. [Source](https://moholy-nagy.org/chronology/)
11. [Source](https://hdl.handle.net/10796/4197FA3B-31B1-4C40-8BEF-0427493BB82F)
12. [De grote gevoelsmachine](https://vanabbemuseum.nl/en/collection/details/collection/?lookup%5B1673%5D%5Bfilter%5D%5B0%5D=id%3AC677)
13. [Betonbuizen](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/2457-laszlo-moholy-nagy-betonbuizen)
14. bauhaus.community
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21. [Source](http://americanabstractartists.org/current-members/past/)
22. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-2395)
23. László Moholy-Nagy. RKDartists
24. Benezit Dictionary of Artists
25. SNAC
26. Discogs
27. filmportal.de
28. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
29. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
30. Le Delarge
31. Moholy-Nagy [Weisz], László
32. Artists of the World Online
33. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
34. The Fine Art Archive
35. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
36. [Source](https://mix-n-match.toolforge.org/#/entry/115957975)
37. Virtual International Authority File
38. [Metromod Archive](https://archive.metromod.net/viewer.p/69/1470/object/5138-7556033)
39. [Source](http://www.ubu.com/film/moholy.html)
40. foto '37. 1937
41. CONOR.SI
42. Autoritats UB
43. [Source](https://www.arsny.com/mostwanted/)
44. [Source](https://lightcone.org/fr/cineastes-en-distribution)
45. Museum of Modern Art
46. The Movie Database
47. [Source](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12141/id/people.3CD33320-838C-4229-B9E3-E2CDE2035CBC)
48. [Source](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiarch.php)
49. LIBRIS. 2018
50. DACS register