American Photography

The more than 200 works on display in American Photography reflect the rich and multifaceted history of photography in the United States. The exhibition presents the country as seen through the eyes of American photographers, and shows how photography as a medium became deeply rooted in American society.

Over the past decades the Rijksmuseum has been assembling a collection of American photographic work. This is the first time we are exhibiting photographs from the collection, alongside loaned works from American, Dutch and other European collections. This show includes iconic photographs by the likes of Sally Mann, Robert Frank, Lisette Model, Nan Goldin, Richard Avedon, Andy Warhol, Paul Strand, Diane Arbus and James Van Der Zee, as well as surprising images by unknown and anonymous photographers.

Carrie Mae Weems: Painting the Town

The display in the Rijksmuseum’s photography gallery of Carrie Mae Weems’ 2021 series Painting the Town will run concurrently with American Photography. This is the first show of Weems’s work in the Netherlands. At first sight these striking images resemble abstract paintings, but they are in fact photographs that the artist made in her home city of Portland.

Lecture

If you are a lover of American photography, come and explore the subject in more depth at this lecture and Q&A. Discover everything about the background to the exhibition and how it was put together, so when you visit the exhibition afterwards you’ll understand more, see more, and enjoy more.

John Adams Institute x Rijksmuseum

On Sunday 9 February, the John Adams Institute and the Rijksmuseum are joining forces to stage a special event with American photographers whose work appears in the exhibition. Check the website for the event line-up and schedule.

Partners

American Photography is made possible in part by our main partner Baker McKenzie, Rijksmuseum Patrons and the following Rijksmuseum funds: Jan & Trish de Bont, the Marque Joosten & Eduard Planting Fund and Rijksmuseum International Circle. Carrie Mae Weems: Painting the Town is made possible in part by the Friend’s Lottery (VriendenLoterij) and the Women of the Rijksmuseum Fund.