Explore FAKE! Early Photographic Collages and Montages at the Rijksmuseum

This exhibition explores historical photocollages and photomontages created between 1860 and 1940, predating digital tools. It showcases around 50 images that reveal creative visual illusions, from humorous fantastical scenes to serious political commentary, demonstrating how images were manipulated by hand using scissors, glue, and ink.

In an era where AI-generated imagery raises questions about authenticity, FAKE! delves into the long history of photographic manipulation, showcasing approximately 50 historical images from the Rijksmuseum's collection. Spanning from 1860 to 1940, the exhibition highlights the ingenuity of artists who, without digital tools like Photoshop, used scissors, glue, ink, and pencil to create photocollages and photomontages. These works range from the amusingly fantastical, such as those by the Martin Post Card Company and Olson Photograph Company featuring oversized objects, to the politically charged commentary found in the works of John Heartfield, renowned for his critiques of the Nazi regime. The exhibition traces the evolution of these techniques, demonstrating how they could be employed for both lighthearted entertainment and serious social and political messages, offering a century-long perspective on the creation of 'fake' images.

Adult tickets are €25. Entry is free for visitors aged 18 and under, ICOM members, and Friends of the museum. The museum operates on a cashless basis; payment is by digital or credit card only.