Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Welcomes Major Photography Donation from Hans van Manen
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced a significant addition to its collection with the donation of choreographer Hans van Manen’s complete photographic oeuvre. This generous gift comprises 86 photographs that showcase Van Manen’s distinct artistic vision developed throughout the 1980s and 90s, complementing his internationally celebrated career in choreography.
A Glimpse into Hans van Manen's Distinctive Photographic Art
While primarily known for his work with the Dutch National Ballet, Hans van Manen cultivated a meticulous body of photographic work. His images, often featuring dancers and male nudes, are characterized by their apparent compositional simplicity, aiming to capture aesthetic beauty. The series reflects a powerful, objective, and unsentimental approach to portraiture and the human form, making his work a notable part of Dutch photography from that era. According to Taco Dibbits, Director of the Rijksmuseum, Van Manen’s powerful photographs are a testament to his choreographic eye and possess a unique tone.
Van Manen himself explained that photography offered a peaceful, solitary counterpoint to the intensity of working with large groups of dancers. He focused on creating precisely styled, perfectly printed images, almost exclusively in a square 6x6 format. He expressed a particular affinity for the nude, viewing it as a way to present pure information and impression rather than a personal narrative.
Expanding the Rijksmuseum's Renowned Photography Collection
Hans van Manen's photographic contributions have received recognition through various exhibitions in the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and France, and his book Portrait was released in 1986. He was mentored by Robert Mapplethorpe, with whom he had a personal connection, and in turn, Van Manen became a mentor to Erwin Olaf. Notably, in 2019, Van Manen and his partner Henk van Dijk previously donated 21 photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe to the Rijksmuseum.
The newly acquired oeuvre further enriches the Rijksmuseum’s extensive photography collection, which consists of nearly 200,000 vintage prints, photo albums, and other photographic objects. This collection provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the medium. Visitors interested in photography can also look forward to the "American Photography" exhibition opening in February 2025, which will feature the Mapplethorpe photographs previously donated by Van Manen.
For those planning to discover more art and cultural experiences in Amsterdam, Musemap (musemap.art) offers an easy way to explore museums and current exhibitions. You can find more details about other cultural institutions by browsing our list of museums in Amsterdam or checking what's on during your visit.
