Next spring, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will present the first major comprehensive exhibition of American photography in Europe from February 7 to June 9, 2025. With over 200 works, the exhibition American Photography illuminates the rich and multi-layered history of photography in the USA – from intimate everyday moments to major historical upheavals. The exhibition explores how photography has permeated all areas of life since its invention in the 19th century, whether art, reportage, advertising or private life.
Image above: Ming Smith (1951), America Seen Through Stars and Stripes, New York City, 1976 Gelatin silver print, 318 x 470 mm, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (VA), inv. no. 2016.241; Adolph D. and Wiliams C. Williams Fund.
Over the past decades, the Rijksmuseum has built up an impressive collection of American photographs. This is now being exhibited for the first time, supplemented by loans from over 30 Dutch, European and American collections. In addition to iconic works by photographers such as Sally Mann, Robert Frank, Lisette Model, Nan Goldin, Richard Avedon, Andy Warhol, Paul Strand, Diane Arbus and James Van Der Zee, the exhibition also includes surprising photos by unknown and anonymous artists.
The exhibition is made possible by the collaboration with main partner Baker McKenzie. American Photography will be on view from February 7 to June 9, 2025.
AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY
American Photography conveys the full complexity of America from the perspective of American photographers. Using themes such as the American Dream, landscape and portraits, the exhibition traces how photographers reflected the changes and events in their country. Another aspect deals with photography as an art form, which developed from the beginning of the 20th century. On display are photographs by Paul Strand, Charles Sheeler, Dawoud Bey, Ming Smith, Sarah Sense, Aaron Siskind, Sally Mann and Irving Penn, as well as a very rare daguerreotype from 1850. It is possible to observe how photography gradually became a constant companion of everyday life. Family portraits, advertisements, postcards, record sleeves and much more bear witness to this development.
CARRIE MAE WEEMS: PAINTING THE TOWN
To coincide with American Photography, the Rijksmuseum’s photo gallery is presenting the series Painting the Town by Carrie Mae Weems from 2021. At first glance, Weems’ impressive images are reminiscent of abstract paintings. However, they are photographs taken in her birthplace of Portland. During the Black Lives Matter protests, demonstrators wrote texts on boards that were used as a precautionary measure to barricade shop windows. By order of the authorities, the messages were made illegible by applying large areas of paint. As an unintentional side effect of this censorship, a number of artistic compositions were created. In her work, Weems explores what it means to be a witness to history. Themes such as racism, sexism and discrimination take center stage.
RIJKSMUSEUM PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION
With around 200,000 original prints, photo albums, photo books and other special photographic works, the Rijksmuseum’s photo collection offers a representative overview of the history of photography. It includes well-known masterpieces by famous photographers such as Anna Atkins, Gustave Le Gray, Dorothea Lange, Brassaï, Ed van der Elsken and Erwin Olaf. Mattie Boom and Hans Rooseboom, photography curators and curators of the American Photography exhibition, have been in charge of the collection since the 1990s. In 2023, they were honored with the AIPAD Award, the first time this prestigious American prize was awarded internationally. In recent years, Mattie Boom and Hans Rooseboom have focused in particular on collecting American photography.
PUBLICATION
The exhibition is accompanied by a richly illustrated publication entitled American Photography, written by Mattie Boom and Hans Rooseboom.
WHEN?
Exhibition dates: Friday, February 7 to Wednesday, June 9, 2025
WHERE?
Rijksmuseum
Museumstraat 1
1071 XX Amsterdam
Netherlands
