23 Distinctively Dutch photographs Christie’s London Photography

Distinctively Dutch
For the first time ever in any Photographs auction, Christie’s London presents 23 Distinctively Dutch photographs from the Netherlands. An essay by Hripsimé Visser, Curator of Photography at Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, accompanies this section. The exceptional works offered are no longer available on the primary market and include sold-out works by key artists such as Desiree Dolron, with Xteriors VII , 2004 (estimate: £25,000-35,000); Céline van Balen’s Muazez, 1998 (estimate: £10,000-15,000); Marnix Goosens’ celebrated Cloud from ‘Regarding Nature’ , 2000 (estimate: £10,000-15,000) illustrated left; Elspeth Diederix, with Still life (milk), 2002 (estimate: £8,000-12,000) and Edwin Zwakman’s significant work Fly-over II, 1996 (estimate: £10,000-15,000).

Traditions, genres and concepts frequently become entwined in contemporary photography; this is exemplified in works from the Netherlands. The fusion of fashion and documentary disciplines is apparent in Viviane Sassen’s highly stylised Kathleen, 2006 (estimate: £5,000-7,000). Such crossovers between genres have underpinned new forms of expression. This is the case with the expressive pop photography of Anton Corbijn, such as Patti Smith, 1999 (estimate: £10,000-15,000).

The Dutch photographers featured have created highly personal works. They present staged worlds which become new realities; choose unexpected view points; remove contexts of understanding; construct remembered realities from maquettes and alter or blur focus. The resulting works are colourful, large and autonomous, such as Diederix’s Still life (milk) detailed above and illustrated right, which points to the long tradition of Dutch still life.Different examples include striking, digitally manipulated images such as The Ice Cream Parlour from 'Rain', 2004 (estimate: £15,000-20,000) illustrated page one right and the portfolio Royal Blood, 2000 (estimate: £10,000-15,000), both by Erwin Olaf, as well as World #16, 2006, by Ruud van Empel (estimate: £10,000-15,000).

Distinctively Dutch includes four powerful portraits of Muslim girls which are thought provoking and aesthetically beautiful. Céline van Balen’s Muazez, 1998, (estimate: £10,000-15,000) illustrated left, is part of an important series, Muslim Girls,which depicts girls in temporary accommodation in Amsterdam. Zaineb from ‘Sisters’ , 2006, by Martine Stig (estimate: £5,000-7,000) is part of her portrait series of young women at the University of Kuwait who deliberately chose to wear veils. The project revealed the fine balance between depictions of self and personal modesty. Hondius’s Amman from ‘Harmless’, 2003, (estimate: £5,000-7,000), taken with a hidden camera, is a candid image providing a rare glimpse into a normally closed world. Another unique, almost painterly, approach is Untitled #10 from ‘Frontstage’, 2006, by Anoek Steketee (estimate: £6,000-8,000), whose works illuminate the everyday life of Iranians and investigate the accuracy of portrayals by western media. From the main body of the sale a further work in this genre includes I am its Secret by Iranian photographer Shirin Neshat (estimate: £3,000-5,000). Also of relevance, is The Vegetable Shop, Mogador, Morocco, 1962, by Paul Strand (estimate: £15,000-20,000).