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Ed van der Elsken. Up close
Turning his lens towards the streets, Ed van der Elsken captured life in all its spontaneity and character. Discover his iconic photographs and explore books, posters and other products that celebrate his unique vision of everyday life.
Ed van der Elsken (1925–1990) was one of the most important Dutch photographers of the twentieth century. From the 1950s onwards, he photographed everyday life with a directness and immediacy that felt entirely his own.
The exhibition Ed van der Elsken: Up Close, now on view at the Rijksmuseum, offers a rare look inside the photographer’s working world. Since 2019, his private archive has been jointly cared for by the Rijksmuseum and the Nederlands Fotomuseum. For the first time, this extensive material has been examined in depth.
Alongside his best-known photographs, the exhibition includes handwritten notes, contact sheets marked up in red, darkroom experiments and newly discovered book dummies, shedding fresh light on how Van der Elsken worked and edited his images.
Street photography from across the World
From the rebellious youths of Amsterdam’s Nieuwendijk to young women in Paris and pedestrians in cities across the world, Van der Elsken had a remarkable talent for turning ordinary moments into memorable pictures. During his travels he photographed local cultures, street life and chance encounters with warmth, curiosity and energy.
The exhibition presents a vivid portrait of everyday life in many different parts of the world. Plan your visit and discover Ed van der Elsken: Up Close.
Explore the collection of Ed van der Elsken
Browse a selection of products inspired by Ed van der Elsken’s work, including a carefully curated publication featuring both iconic photographs and lesser-known images. If you are looking for a striking piece for the wall, choose a poster of one of his most celebrated photographs and bring a piece of Dutch photographic history into your home.
Explore the Ed van der Elsken collection, discover his most famous images and be inspired by the work of one of the Netherlands’ greatest photographers.
