Although he studied law in his native Hungary, László Moholy-Nagy changed career paths following service in World War I. He came to prominence teaching the Vorkurs, or introductory art-making and design course, at the Bauhaus in Dessau, Germany. A proponent of exploring new media and technology, Moholy-Nagy embraced photography and film and experimented with such materials as plastic, cardboard, glass, and steel. He remained active as an educator throughout his career; his dynamic personality earned him loyal adherents among his students, as well as some detractors. Following the rise of Hitler, Moholy-Nagy sought to continue Bauhaus teaching ideas in the United States, cofounding, with Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke, the Chicago School of Design, now the Institute of Design. This portrait of him seated before student projects was taken a year before his death.

Unidentified photographer
Gelatin silver print, circa 1945
Published June 1947
ARTnews Collection, New York City