Hendrik Kerstens Portrait 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.(Biography provided by Danziger Gallery)
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Artist: Hendrik Kerstens
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 Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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 Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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 Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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 Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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 Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
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 Portrait Photography
Materials
Archival Pigment
Untitled by Hendrik Kerstens
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Morton Grove, IL
Up for auction. A rare C-print photo by Hendrik Kerstens. It is in perfect condition.
The print is from 2008 and an edition of 6. It has been sold out for years.
24 x 20"
Comes...
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Portrait Photography
Materials
C Print
Sunburn
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Pigment print
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Portrait Photography
Materials
Pigment
Bathing Cap
By Hendrik Kerstens
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Pigment print
Category
20th Century Contemporary Hendrik Kerstens Portrait Photography
Materials
Pigment
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Hendrik Kerstens portrait photography for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Hendrik Kerstens portrait photography available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of portrait 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 portrait photography, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Yvonne Michiels, William Wegman, and Daniel Handal. Hendrik Kerstens portrait photography prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12,000 and tops out at $12,000, while the average work can sell for $12,000.