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Hendrik Kerstens Art

Dutch, b. 1956
Since 1995, Dutch photographer Hendrik Kerstens has been photographing his daughter, Paula. His photographs have been collected by museums around the world and have inspired taste-makers as diverse as Elton John and Alexander McQueen. (McQueen, in fact based his Fall 2009 collection on Kerstens' image of Paula with a plastic bag as a head-dress, using the image as his invitation for the show.) Initially Kerstens' photographs were created out of the artist's desire to capture something of the fleeting moments that fade of childhood. The pictures recorded everyday events – his daughter's sunburn, the child's bath. However, one day there was a moment of revelation when Kerstens not only saw her in relation to the events of her own life, but also projected on her his interest in the Dutch painters of the seventeenth century. As Kerstens recalls, "One day Paula came back from horseback riding. She took off her cap and I was struck by the image of her hair held together by a hair-net. It reminded me of the portraits by the Dutch masters and I portrayed her in that fashion. After that I started to do more portraits in which I refer to the paintings of that era. The thing that fascinates me in particular is the way a seventeenth-century painting is seen as a surface which can be read as a description of everyday life as opposed to the paintings of the Italian renaissance, which usually tell a story. Northern European painting relies much more on craftsmanship and the perfect rendition of the subject. The use of light is instrumental in this."
 A number of the portraits of Paula are clearly reminiscent of Johannes Vermeer. The austerity of the photograph, its clarity, the serene expression on the young girl's face, and not least, the characteristic "Dutch" light, all combine to create this impression. However, Kerstens was not just imitating painting. As the series progressed, he became increasingly interested in the game of creating a conceptual and humorous dialog between past and present. The titles give the game away. "Napkin" looks like a maid's bonnet. In "Bag", a plastic grocery bag is shaped to look like a lace hood. In other pictures no pretense is made to imitate 17th century clothing but Paula's face and Kerstens' light turn a thoroughly modern hoodie into a classic and timeless garment. Conceptually, Kerstens' photographs play with the dialog between the mediums of painting and photography, with seriality, and time. On a more emotional level, they address everyday reality while expressing his love for his child, and the knowledge and development of his craft.
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Artist: Hendrik Kerstens
Golden Egg Box
Golden Egg Box

Hendrik KerstensGolden Egg Box, 2025

$16,000

Golden Egg Box

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Conceptually, Kerstens' photographs play with the dialog between the mediums of painting and photography, with seriality, and time. On a more emotional level, they address everyday r...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Coif
Coif

Hendrik KerstensCoif, 2024

$14,000

Coif

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Coif - available is three formats - 20x24” - 30x40” and 50x60”

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Golden Egg Box
Golden Egg Box

Hendrik KerstensGolden Egg Box, 2025

$10,000

Golden Egg Box

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Conceptually, Kerstens' photographs play with the dialog between the mediums of painting and photography, with seriality, and time. On a more emotional level, they address everyday r...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Coif
Coif

Hendrik KerstensCoif, 2024

$8,000

Coif

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Coif - available is three formats - 20x24” - 30x40” and 50x60”

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Red Rabbit II

Hendrik KerstensRed Rabbit II, 2018

Price Upon Request

Red Rabbit II

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Hendrik Kerstens, Red Rabbit II

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

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Hendrik Kerstens art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Hendrik Kerstens art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Hendrik Kerstens in pigment print, archival pigment print, c print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Hendrik Kerstens art, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Hans Withoos, Ron van Dongen, and Van de Camp Heesterbeek. Hendrik Kerstens art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,380 and tops out at $12,000, while the average work can sell for $12,000.

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Questions About Hendrik Kerstens Art
  • What famous Dutch painter’s works do Kerstens’a photographs resemble and why?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    The famous Dutch painter’s works that Kerstens’s photographs resemble is Johannes Vermeer. Since 1995, Dutch photographer Hendrik Kerstens has been photographing his daughter, Paula. A number of the portraits of Paula are clearly reminiscent of Vermeer’s paintings. The austerity of the photographs, their clarity and the characteristic "Dutch" light all combine to create this impression. However, Kerstens was not just imitating the paintings. As the series progressed, he became increasingly interested in the game of creating a conceptual and humorous dialogue between the past and present. The titles give the game away. Napkin looks like a maid's bonnet. In Bag, a plastic grocery bag is shaped to look like a lace hood. In other pictures, no pretense is made to imitate 17th-century clothing, but Paula's face and Kerstens's light turn a thoroughly modern hoodie into a classic and timeless garment. Conceptually, Kerstens's photographs play with the relationship between painting and photography, including with seriality and time. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Hendrik Kerstens art.