Skip to main content

Hendrik Kerstens Photography

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
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
10,140
2,803
2,503
1,399
1
Artist: Hendrik Kerstens
Golden Egg Box

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 Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Related Items
Like Ice in the Sunshine II (L.A.) No. 17

Like Ice in the Sunshine II (L.A.) No. 17

By Simone Rosenbauer

Located in New York, NY

15 x 15 archival pigment print (image size 14 x 14 inches), edition 8. Signed, titled, dated and editioned on frame label provided. Framing also available at an additional cost. In ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Prague Library - color photography
Prague Library - color photography

Prague Library - color photography

By Richard Silver

Located in New York, NY

Richard’s love for travel has afforded him many opportunities to shoot different cities and cultures. He loves iconic architecture, whether it’s ancient or modern, and is always foc...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Untitled (Nr. 1072) Photography 36" x 44" Edition of 12 by Ben Cope
Untitled (Nr. 1072) Photography 36" x 44" Edition of 12 by Ben Cope

Untitled (Nr. 1072) Photography 36" x 44" Edition of 12 by Ben Cope

By Ben Cope

Located in Culver City, CA

Untitled (Nr. 1072) Photography 36" x 44" Edition of 12 by Ben Cope Signed and numbered by the artist. Unframed - ships rolled in a tube Ben Cope + Rowan Daly Off the Grid Off the Grid is the culmination of a six-year photographic journey through Baja, Mexico. Ben Cope and Rowan Daly began their travels in 2014, working their way through the towns of la Salinas, Baja Mar, and Cantamar, down through Ensanada and la Bufadora. This series of photographs depicts the pair’s adventures and explorations. Off the Grid documents the textures, people, and places visited during this incredible journey...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

No title (No 03) Ballet Photography 45 x 45 in Ed. of 18 by Yevgeniy Repiashenko
No title (No 03) Ballet Photography 45 x 45 in Ed. of 18 by Yevgeniy Repiashenko

No title (No 03) Ballet Photography 45 x 45 in Ed. of 18 by Yevgeniy Repiashenko

By Yevgeniy Repiashenko

Located in Culver City, CA

No title (No 03) Ballet Photography 45 x 45 in Ed. of 18 by Yevgeniy Repiashenko No title (No 03) by Yevgeniy Repiashenko Year photo was taken: 2017 Edition of 18. Premium Quality: ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Plexiglass, Archival Pigment

Teatro Massimo Bellini, Sicily - color photography
Teatro Massimo Bellini, Sicily - color photography

Teatro Massimo Bellini, Sicily - color photography

By Richard Silver

Located in New York, NY

Richard’s love for travel has afforded him many opportunities to shoot different cities and cultures. He loves iconic architecture, whether it’s ancient or modern, and is always focused on documenting beautiful structures in each new city he visits. Richard loves using techniques such as Tilt...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Vert 20 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography
Vert 20 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography

Vert 20 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography

By Daniel Mansur

Located in New York City, NY

Daniel Mansur Available sizes: 60 x 40 inches 100 x 150cm 71 x 47 inches 180 x 120cm 88.5 x 60 inches 225 x 150 cm Edition of 6 copies overall - Archival Pigment Print Signat...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Massimo Theatre, Sicily - color photography
Massimo Theatre, Sicily - color photography

Massimo Theatre, Sicily - color photography

By Richard Silver

Located in New York, NY

Richard’s love for travel has afforded him many opportunities to shoot different cities and cultures. He loves iconic architecture, whether it’s ancient or modern, and is always focused on documenting beautiful structures in each new city he visits. Richard loves using techniques such as Tilt...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Vert 7 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography
Vert 7 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography

Vert 7 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography

By Daniel Mansur

Located in New York City, NY

Daniel Mansur Available sizes: 60 x 40 inches 100 x 150cm 71 x 47 inches 180 x 120cm 88.5 x 60 inches 225 x 150 cm Edition of 6 copies overall - Archival Pigment Print Signat...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Truth - the honesty seed, Print on Glass, hand gilded with Lemon and Moon Gold
Truth - the honesty seed, Print on Glass, hand gilded with Lemon and Moon Gold

Truth - the honesty seed, Print on Glass, hand gilded with Lemon and Moon Gold

Located in London, GB

Truth, 2017 Print on Museum Glass, Hand gilded with Lemon and Moon Gold 31 x 31 cm/ 12.2 x 12.2 in (custom framed) Edition of 5 This print is from a series of images made from a collection of honesty seeds gathered at the end of baking hot summer... The papery enclosures are like parchment through which the light filters with a pale gold delicacy." The beauty of the pieces printed on glass are truly revealed when seen in the flesh, which shimmer in the daylight and change constantly as different light sources are reflected off the print. "My fascination with colour goes back a long way. One of my earliest creative recollections has me sitting at a table endlessly mixing paints in a valiant but ultimately futile attempt to 'invent a new colour'. It was an imperative that kept me occupied for some time as I recall. The result was always the same - and unedifying fudge of pale peach and silver." - Valda Bailey...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Gold, Gold Leaf

Rustic Blaze - Palm Trees, 23.4 karat Rose Gold & Copper on Museum Glass, Framed
Rustic Blaze - Palm Trees, 23.4 karat Rose Gold & Copper on Museum Glass, Framed

Rustic Blaze - Palm Trees, 23.4 karat Rose Gold & Copper on Museum Glass, Framed

Located in London, GB

"All about the light. The rich golden light at sunset on a beach in Sri Lanka. Palm trees are everywhere and they have many identities. They can sway gracefully in the breeze, or the...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Gold Leaf, Copper, Gold

Book of Kells, Dublin Ireland - color photography
Book of Kells, Dublin Ireland - color photography

Book of Kells, Dublin Ireland - color photography

By Richard Silver

Located in New York, NY

Richard’s love for travel has afforded him many opportunities to shoot different cities and cultures. He loves iconic architecture, whether it’s ancient or modern, and is always focused on documenting beautiful structures in each new city he visits. Richard loves using techniques such as Tilt...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Vert 12 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography
Vert 12 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography

Vert 12 - Rainforest - Landscape Photography

By Daniel Mansur

Located in New York City, NY

Daniel Mansur Available sizes: 60 x 40 inches 100 x 150cm 71 x 47 inches 180 x 120cm 88.5 x 60 inches 225 x 150 cm Edition of 6 copies overall - Archival Pigment Print Signat...

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Previously Available Items
Paper Lace

Paper Lace

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Hendrik Kerstens, Paper Lace available in three formats: 20x24, 30x40 and 50x60 inches

Category

2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Cover

Hendrik KerstensCover, 2014

Sold

H 40 in W 30 in

Cover

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

pigment print

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Pigment

Napkin

Hendrik KerstensNapkin, 2009

Sold

H 18 in W 12 in

Napkin

By Hendrik Kerstens

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Limited edition print

Category

20th Century Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Digital Pigment

Hendrik Kerstens photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Hendrik Kerstens photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of photography 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 photography, 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 photography 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.