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.to
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Artist: Hendrik Kerstens
Blue Turban 50x60
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Sold out in all formats - available in 50x60”
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
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
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
Price Upon Request
Cosy
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik Kerstens, Cosy
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Green Tuban
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik Kerstens, part of the turban trilogy, 30 x 40 inches
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Tinny
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik Kerstens, Tinny available in three formats: 20x24, 30x40 and 50x60 inches
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Cream
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik Kerstens, Cream available in three formats: 20x24, 30x40 and 50x60 inches
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Golden Cake Hat
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik Kerstens, Golden Cake Hat available in three formats: 20x24, 30x40 and 50x60 inches
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Book
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik Kerstens, Book, available in three formats: 20x24, 30x40 and 50x60 inches
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Tissue
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
pigment print
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Pigment
Price Upon Request
Tails 2
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
pigment print
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Pigment
Price Upon Request
Sunburn
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Pigment print
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Pigment
Price Upon Request
Bathing Cap
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Pigment print
Category
20th Century Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Art
Materials
Pigment
Price Upon Request
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Previously Available Items
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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.
Artists Similar to Hendrik Kerstens
Questions About Hendrik Kerstens Art
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025The 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.