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Ed van der Elsken

Crazy World

A glimpse into the working methods of one of the best-known photographers in The Netherlands. You can hardly get any closer to the artist.

The Rijksmuseum and Nederlands Fotomuseum’s joint acquisition of Ed van der Elskens’ artistic estate 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.

This exhibition has come about through a partnership with Nederlands Fotomuseum in Rotterdam and is made possible with the support of Fonds21.

The collection was for a large part donated by Anneke Hilhorst, and partly purchased with the support of the Mondriaan Fund, the Rembrandt Association (thanks in part to its dedicated Photography and Video Fund and Dura Kunstfonds), BankGiro Lottery participants, the Paul Huf Fund/Rijksmuseum Fund and the Marque Joosten & Eduard Planting Fund/Rijksmuseum Fund.

Until 10 January 2021
Philips wing
Start time necessary

This exhibition is over.

Photography

5:48 min. - The magic of photography

Ed van der Elsken, 'Man en machine'. Arbeider op de werf, Burutu, Nigeria, 1959 Ed van der Elsken, 'Man en machine'. Arbeider op de werf, Burutu, Nigeria, 1959

Man and machine. Worker at a shipyard, Burutu, Nigeria 1959

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Ed van der Elsken, Twee schooljongens en man met een dochter op zijn rug in Japan, 1959-60. Ed van der Elsken, Twee schooljongens en man met een dochter op zijn rug in Japan, 1959-60.

Two schoolboys and a man with a daughter on his back in Japan 1959-60

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Ed van der Elsken, 'Unspoiled primitives'; de naïeve schilder Call Black en zijn vrouw Ruby voor hun privé-museum in de Mojave Desert Ed van der Elsken, 'Unspoiled primitives'; de naïeve schilder Call Black en zijn vrouw Ruby voor hun privé-museum in de Mojave Desert

Unspoiled primitives; naive painter Call Black and his wife Ruby in front of their private museum in the Mojave Desert, Arizona, United States 1960

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Ed van der Elsken, Portret van een oude vrouw in Japan, met belettering in zwarte viltstift, 1984. Ed van der Elsken, Portret van een oude vrouw in Japan, met belettering in zwarte viltstift, 1984.

Portrait of an old woman in Japan, with lettering in black felt-tip pen 1984

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Ed van der Elsken, Portret van Karel Appel, 1958-1963, met opschrift Ed van der Elsken, Portret van Karel Appel, 1958-1963, met opschrift

Portrait of Karel Appel 1958-1963

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In the exhibition

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