AMSTERDAM. Una mostra dedicata agli appassionati di fotografie d’epoca è quella proposta al Foam che dal 6 febbraio al 29 marzo proporrà una collezione degli scatti della famiglia Van Loon, tra i co-fondatori della Compagnia olandese delle Indie orientali.
Tra i rinomati artisti hanno ritratto i membri della famiglia c’è anche il più famoso ritrattista del diciannovesimo e ventesimo secolo: Felix Nadar. I suoi ritratti alla famiglia Van Loon saranno per la prima volta esposti tutti insieme.
Un’esposizione particolare ed originale che, tra carte-da-visite, ritratti di bambini, ritratti negli interni e sapienti costruzioni, fa capire come la fotografia stesse prendendo facilmente il posto della pittura e offre uno spaccato della società del tempo.
ENGLISH VERSION. A very special photography collection of the noble Van Loon family will be exhibited for the very first time. The exhibition is a collaboration between across the canal neighbours, Museum Van Loon and photography museum Foam. Museum Van Loon is the former residence of the Van Loon family. After three editions of Foam in Van Loon, in which – during the preparations for a new exhibition Foam-photography was on display in Van Loon, now the favour is returned. Due to restoration activities the museum will be closed for two months. In this period Museum Van Loon will shed light on its remarkable photo collection. With this exhibition Foam sets out not only investigate the role of photography within the Van Loon family, but also how this collection relates to the present day. Artist and curator Ernst van der Hoeven has been invited to provide a three dimensional intervention within the exhibition rooms.
© Naam fotograaf / extra credits indicated.
The Van Loon photo collection consists of historic interior photography and of both historic and contemporary portrait photography. Renowned artists have portrayed family members: from Felix Nadar and Studio Merkelbach to recently Koos Breukel and Erwin Olaf. From the historic collection it becomes evident that the Van Loon’s preferred internationally established photographers who were commissioned by European royalty and families of name. It shows the preferences of high society in the 20th century. Highlight is a series of portraits the family had made around the year 1900 by arguably the most famous portraitist of the 19th and early 20th century: Felix Nadar, which will be on display in its entirety for the very first time.
Also, the historic development and relation between painted portraiture and portrait photography becomes apparent. The Van Loon family commissioned painted portraits well into the 20th century. From the 19th century onwards photographs have been made in addition; from pre WW II formal cartes de visites, studio portraits, children’s portraits and family albums to a more personal atmosphere in the post war era. The family demonstrates its appreciation for photography by recent commissions to Koos Breukel and Erwin Olaf.
Interior photography gives a splendid view on the inside of Museum van Loon in the 20th century when the house was still lived in. Interiors served representative purposes which becomes evident in the execution of the imagery. The photographs reflect to a large extend the current interior and atmosphere of the museum.
Info: www.foam.org
