Beyond the Photograph

For generations, the Zuiderzee has captured the imagination of photographers, as the Zuiderzeemuseum demonstrates in this exhibition featuring works by, among others, Henri Berssenbrugge, Sara Blokland, Ed van der Elsken, Miep Jukkema, Hendrik Kerstens, Jimmy Nelson and Roger Parry.

From the very beginnings of photography, life on and around the Zuiderzee proved to be a popular subject. Residents in traditional costume, daily life outside, exuberant village festivals, and fishing boats in the harbours; everything was photographed. Also in later years, impressions of life around the Zuiderzee were documented, such as images of botters in the harbour, the Volendam fair, distinctive buildings slated for demolition, and village views that had to make way for urban renewal. Beyond the Photograph presents a selection from the thousands of photographs in the Zuiderzeemuseum’s collection, each image telling a subjective story.

Cover image: Photographer Clichéfabriek Pax Holland, IJspret Volendam, 1940