Experience the vibrant world of Ed van der Elsken, the most influential Dutch photographer of the twentieth century.
The exhibition Ed van der Elsken offers a unique look at his multifaceted body of work, featuring both well-known and never-before-seen photographs, contact sheets, letters, notes, book designs, and film fragments.
Pioneer of Street Photography
Van der Elsken is regarded as a pioneer of street photography. From the very beginning, he took his own life as a starting point, something quite unconventional at the time. His approach was intuitive and experimental, and his photography is characterized by direct, personal engagement with the people he portrayed.
Work Archive
In 2019, the Rijksmuseum and the Nederlands Fotomuseum acquired his complete work archive. This forty-year collection makes it possible to highlight all the key moments in his career, from his decision to become an independent photographer to documenting his own dying process.