100 years of Ed van der Elsken (1925-1990) in Purmerend

In 2025, Ed van der Elsken would have turned 100. Van der Elsken (1925–1990) is considered one of the most important post-war photographers and filmmakers in the Netherlands. To mark this anniversary, the Purmerends Museum is organizing two exhibitions featuring Van der Elsken's work starting in early October 2025: *Oog voor Amsterdam* (Eye for Amsterdam) through March 29, 2026, and *Avonture op het land* (Adventures in the Countryside) through February 1, 2026. Are you familiar with the work of this cult photographer?

Ed van der Elsken, Eye for Amsterdam, through March 29, 2026

The exhibition Ed van der Elsken. Eye for Amsterdam focuses on the color photographs Van der Elsken took in Amsterdam in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, the film A Photographer Films Amsterdam (1982) is being screened continuously – a portrait of the city and its inhabitants. Ed van der Elsken would have turned 100 in 2025. Van der Elsken (1925–1990) is considered one of the most important post-war photographers and filmmakers in the Netherlands.

(On nine of the ten stamps on the sheet, two color photographs are combined. On the tenth stamp, next to the depicted photograph, is the title of Van der Elsken's most famous color photo book: EYE LOVE YOU (1977). The photographs are placed on a black background, creating the impression that the stamp sheet consists of five film strips. At the top of the sheet margin are Van der Elsken's signature and the logo of the Nederlands Fotomuseum.) The exhibition, Ed van der Elsken. Eye for Amsterdam, focuses on the color photographs Van der Elsken took in Amsterdam in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, the film A Photographer Films Amsterdam (1982) is screened continuously – a portrait of the city and its inhabitants. This exhibition is not only a tribute to Van der Elsken's personal anniversary, but also to the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam and the historical bond between Amsterdam and Purmerend, forged by the many Amsterdammers who moved to Purmerend in the post-war years.  

Ed van der Elsken, Adventures on Land, through February 1, 2026

The exhibition Ed van der Elsken: Adventures in the Countryside focuses on the color photographs he took in his hometown of Edam. The film Adventures in the Countryside (1980), a poetic ode to nature and the polder landscape surrounding his farm just outside Edam, is also being screened continuously here. Ed van der Elsken would have turned 100 in 2025. Van der Elsken (1925–1990) is considered one of the most important post-war photographers and filmmakers in the Netherlands and passed away in Edam. The exhibition, Ed van der Elsken. Adventures in the Countryside, focuses on the color photographs he took in his hometown of Edam, where he lived from 1971 until his death in 1990. The film Adventures in the Countryside (1980) is also screened continuously here, a poetic ode to nature and the polder landscape surrounding his farm just outside Edam.

 

<strong> More info: </strong>

Purmerend Museum, two exhibitions Ed van der Elsken: https://www.purmerendsmuseum.nl/Ed-van-der-Elsken-100-jaar https://www.purmerendsmuseum.nl/Ed-van-der-Elsken.-Avonturen-op-het-land Previous museum blogs: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/made-in-holland/