Recognised as one of the most influential photographers of the last century for his raw street-style images of daily life in the Netherlands, Ed van der Elsken’s (10 March 1925 – 28 December 1990) work was jointly aquired by the Rijksmuseum and the Nederlands Fotomuseum in 2019. at the end of 2019 has provided the ideal opportunity to shed light on the working practice of one of the Netherlands’ most famous photographers. The display of more than 100 objects – including prints, photo book designs and contact sheets – reveals Van der Elsken’s hand in his photographs, printing and experimentation.
Portrait of an old woman in Japan, with lettering in black felt-tip pen, 1984
Protest against racial discrimination outside a Woolworth store in New York, 1960
Birthday party for the Flemish writer Hugo Claus at the De Bezige Bij publishing house, Amsterdam, April 1959
Dancing couple on the Zeedijk during the annual fair, Amsterdam, May 1961
Fireworks display for Queen’s Day over the Oosterdok, Amsterdam, 30 April 1959
N’Gabé, a 23 year old caravan porter. Oubangui-Chari (now Central African Republic, 1956-1957)
Sonja Kruiswegt (right) and others at the annual fair on the Nieuwmarkt
Susie’s Blue Bar, Cebu city, Philippines, 1959. Gelatin silver print and marker
Suspected war invalid in his cart, near Marseille, 1949
The annual fair on the Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam 1961
Two boys pose on the street, Rokin, near the Langebrugsteeg, Amsterdam, 1950-1960
Worker at a shipyard, Burutu, Nigeria, 1959
Yakuza, Osaka, Japan, 1960
Young people at a shooting gallery at the fair in Volendam circa 1955–1956
Cheering audience at the concert by Louis Armstrong and His All Stars in the auction halls in Blokker, 10 May 1959.
Docker near the passenger ship Sweet Life, Cebu city. Philippines, 1959
Ed van der Elsken looking at a roll of film during his world trip, United States, 1960
Yakuza, Osaka, Japan, 1960
Concertgoers watch the Lionel Hampton Big Band in the Houtrusthallen in The Hague, 24 March, 1956
Dancers at party State visit of Queen Elizabeth II and husband, Prince Philip, to the Netherlands, Ridderzaal, The Hague, 26 March 1958
Via: Crazy World at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
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