ABSTRACT Throughout his career, László Moholy-Nagy (1895–1946) produced many photograms, a selection of which was examined in European and American collections. Sheet dimensions and thickness, base color, surface gloss and texture were recorded. The analysis of the data and the results of this investigation are presented in this article. The article also explores the effectiveness of paper characterization and how it can contribute to and enhance historical research when applied to a particular body of work by one artist.