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.

Artist: Hendrik Kerstens

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 Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Aaron McPolin"The Gentle Within" Figurative Photography 36" x 24" in Ed. 1/7 by Aaron Mcpolin, 2018

$2,950

H 36 in W 24 in D 0.1 in

"The Gentle Within" Figurative Photography 36" x 24" in Ed. 1/7 by Aaron Mcpolin

By Aaron McPolin

Located in Culver City, CA

"The Gentle Within" Figurative Photography 36" x 24" in Ed. 1/7 by Aaron Mcpolin Signed and numbered by the artist. Comes with COA issued by the artist. Archival Giclee Print NOT fr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Frank SchottSeascape-XIX-Capri - large scale abstract monochromatic ocean water surface, 2025

$4,400

H 60 in Dm 48 in

Seascape-XIX-Capri - large scale abstract monochromatic ocean water surface

By Frank Schott

Located in San Francisco, CA

Frank Schott Seascape XIX Capri A Large format abstract photograph of mesmerizing water surface and ephemeral abstract ripple patterns from a ser...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Frank SchottNapoleon Bonaparte I - interior photograph of elegant French palace villa, 2025

$2,200

H 40 in W 27 in

Napoleon Bonaparte I - interior photograph of elegant French palace villa

By Frank Schott

Located in San Francisco, CA

Large scale photograph of elegant interior view of the French revolutionary hidden door in the Villa Napoleone in Elba, Tuscany. Napoleon Bonaparte I - not at home ( ELBA ) by Frank...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Frank Schottfound object A - large format photograph of conceptual iconic object, 2025

$2,200

H 40 in W 32 in

found object A - large format photograph of conceptual iconic object

By Frank Schott

Located in San Francisco, CA

Frank Schott found object A, is from a series of photographic observances capturing found conceptual objects in urban cityscapes found object A by Frank Schott 40 x 32 inches (102...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Frank SchottSeascape XI Triptych (framed) - abstract photographs of ocean surface & horizon, 2021

$13,400

H 48 in W 180 in D 0.03 in

Seascape XI Triptych (framed) - abstract photographs of ocean surface & horizon

By Frank Schott

Located in San Francisco, CA

Mesmerizing large scale photographs from the artist's Seascape series, a body of works capturing the tactile surfaces and monochrome blue azure nature of oceanic waterscapes SEASCAP...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment, Plexiglass

Frank Schottfound object B - large format photograph of conceptual iconic object, 2025

$2,200

H 40 in W 32 in

found object B - large format photograph of conceptual iconic object

By Frank Schott

Located in San Francisco, CA

Frank Schott found object B, is from a series of photographic observances capturing found conceptual objects in urban cityscapes found object A by Frank Schott 40 x 32 inches (102...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Paul NicklenHusky Huddle (Color) - Greenland by Paul Nicklen - Wildlife Photography, 2015

$9,500

H 31 in W 46.5 in

Husky Huddle (Color) - Greenland by Paul Nicklen - Wildlife Photography

By Paul Nicklen

Located in Chicago, IL

"Husky Huddle" Qaanaaq, Greenland - 2015 Archival Pigment Print Available Sizes: Edition of 20: 24” x 36” (61 x 91.4 cm) $5,500 Edition of 15: 31” x 46.5” (78.7 x 118.1 cm) $9,500...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Paul NicklenSpot On (Color) by Paul Nicklen - Wildlife Photography - Leopard - Kenya, 2025

$7,500

H 31 in W 46.5 in

Spot On (Color) by Paul Nicklen - Wildlife Photography - Leopard - Kenya

By Paul Nicklen

Located in Chicago, IL

"Spot On" (Color) Segera Conservancy, Kenya - 2025 Archival Pigment Print Available Sizes: Edition of 20: 24” x 36” (61 x 91.4 cm) $4,500 Edition of 15: 31” x 46.5” (78.7 x 118.1...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Pigment

Reuben WuAeroglyph XT 2011 - large format photo of light painting in nocturnal landscape, 2019

$18,000

H 58 in W 72.5 in

Aeroglyph XT 2011 - large format photo of light painting in nocturnal landscape

By Reuben Wu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Large scale original photograph from Reuben Wu's long-exposure series AEROGLYPHS, capturing ephemeral light drawings against the nighttime skies to create otherworldly landscapes. X...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Frank SchottSeascape-XIX-Capri - large scale abstract monochromatic ocean water surface, 2025

$2,200

H 40 in Dm 32 in

Seascape-XIX-Capri - large scale abstract monochromatic ocean water surface

By Frank Schott

Located in San Francisco, CA

Frank Schott Seascape XIX Capri A Large format abstract photograph of mesmerizing water surface and ephemeral abstract ripple patterns from a ser...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Frank SchottCorridore - photograph of cascading fashion details of antique sculpture, 2025

$2,200

H 40 in W 27 in

Corridore - photograph of cascading fashion details of antique sculpture

By Frank Schott

Located in San Francisco, CA

Large format photograph of intricate garment details of ancient Roman bronze sculptures, from a series capturing ancient craftsmanship and fashion of antiquity 40 x 27 inches / 68cm...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Reuben WuLux Noctis LN3754 - large format photograph of illuminated nocturnal landscape, 2021

$18,000

H 58 in W 78 in

Lux Noctis LN3754 - large format photograph of illuminated nocturnal landscape

By Reuben Wu

Located in San Francisco, CA

Large scale original photograph from Reuben Wu's long-exposure series LUX NOCTIS, capturing ephemeral light drawings against the nighttime skies to create otherworldly landscapes, an...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Photography

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Giclée, Archival Pigment

Previously Available Items

Hendrik KerstensPaper Lace, 2022

Sold

H 40 in W 30 in

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

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

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.