Hendrik Kerstens Color 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
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Artist: Hendrik Kerstens
Golden Egg Box
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik and Paula Kerstens - August 2025 - "Through the media, we became aware of the egg crisis in the United States and the PFAS warnings for backyard chickens in the Netherlands. ...
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Color Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Blue Turban 50x60
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Sold out in all formats - available in 50x60”
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Color Photography
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 Color Photography
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 Color Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Cosy
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Hendrik Kerstens, Cosy
Category
2010s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Color Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
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Hendrik Kerstens color photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Hendrik Kerstens color photography available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Hendrik Kerstens in archival pigment print, 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 color photography, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Monika Merva, Steve Joester, and Elliott Kaufman. Hendrik Kerstens color 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 $3,380, while the average work can sell for $3,380.