Rijksmuseum retrospective reveals Ed van der Elsken's intimate street photography

From June 19 to September 13, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam showcases 'Ed van der Elsken. Up Close,' a retrospective that redefines the Dutch photographer as an artist who navigates between intimacy and performance. This exhibition utilizes his private archive, which was obtained in 2019, and includes works from early 1950s photojournalism, 1980s projects, contact sheets, notebooks, darkroom experiments, unpublished book layouts, and film clips. It prioritizes emotional resonance over technical perfection, presenting images that convey lived experiences. The exhibition contrasts Van der Elsken's style with Henri Cartier-Bresson's concept of the 'decisive moment' and Garry Winogrand's observational technique. Taco Dibbits highlights how it offers a thorough insight into Van der Elsken's creative process, focusing on accumulation and revision in photography.