The Crazy World of Ed van der Elsken – in pictures

Ed van der Elsken's fabulous photographs capture the heart of the subject

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.

 

Ed van der Elsken

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

Ed van der Elsken

Birthday party for the Flemish writer Hugo Claus at the De Bezige Bij publishing house, Amsterdam, April 1959

Ed van der Elsken

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

Ed van der Elsken

Susie’s Blue Bar, Cebu city, Philippines, 1959. Gelatin silver print and marker

Suspected war invalid in his cart, near Marseille, 1949

Ed van der Elsken

The annual fair on the Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam 1961

Ed van der Elsken

Two boys pose on the street, Rokin, near the Langebrugsteeg, Amsterdam, 1950-1960

Worker at a shipyard, Burutu, Nigeria, 1959

Yakuza, Osaka, Japan, 1960

Ed van der Elsken

Young people at a shooting gallery at the fair in Volendam circa 1955–1956

Ed van der Elsken

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

Ed van der Elsken

Yakuza, Osaka, Japan, 1960

Concertgoers watch the Lionel Hampton Big Band in the Houtrusthallen in The Hague, 24 March, 1956

Ed van der Elsken

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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