Soon after his arrival, Kertész approached Beaumont Newhall, director of the photographic department at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), who was preparing a show entitled Photography 1839–1937.
Pian tulonsa jälkeen Kertész lähestyi Beaumont Newhallia, joka oli Museum of Modern Artin valokuvaosaston johtaja ja valmistelemassa näyttelyä Photography 1839–1937.