Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht, the Netherlands, presents ‘Between the Sea and the Sky’, an exhibition by photographic artist Jimmy Nelson, running from 9 February until 21 September 2025. The exhibition debuts analogue large-format portraits as part of a collection of 65 photographs and two videos, capturing the essence of twenty different Dutch communities in traditional folk costumes. Set against the picturesque backdrops of fishing villages, polder landscapes, and fortified towns, each image is bathed in the famous Dutch light. With his colourful work, Nelson celebrates the beauty, cultural richness, and authenticity of humanity.
The British-Dutch photographer enjoys international acclaim for his groundbreaking projects ‘Before They Pass Away’ (2013) and ‘Homage to Humanity’ (2018), which brought global attention to unique indigenous communities from the world’s most remote areas. For the coffee table book ‘Between the Sea and the Sky’ (2022), Nelson turned his lens towards his adopted homeland, presenting an artistic narrative of the Netherlands through more than 350 intimate portraits and iconic landscapes.
With this inspiring series, Jimmy Nelson pays a personal, visual homage to Dutch cultural heritage and age-old traditions. The passionate artist and storyteller combines the timeless elegance of Dutch naturalism with the fine art of contemporary portrait photography. For the individual and group portraits, he uses an analogue large-format camera. This results in painterly, romantic images full of exquisite details, reminiscent of the famous Dutch masters.
The intrinsic beauty of human diversity and shared heritage reinforces a profound sense of global connectedness – a recurring theme in Nelson’s work. Visitors are invited to engage in an immersive visual dialogue, reflecting on the importance of cultural preservation and unity. The monumental Fotomuseum, with its unique blend of historic and modern architecture, provides the perfect setting for this exhibition. The museum will host a side program with artist talks and school activities.
Jimmy Nelson (Sevenoaks, England, 1967) lived in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East during his youth. Since 1993, he has continuously lived in Amsterdam, where the Jimmy Nelson Studio & Gallery is located. The artist has been photographing for forty years and exhibiting worldwide in prominent museums and galleries. His autonomous work has also been presented at major art and photography fairs such as PAN Amsterdam, Photo London, Paris Photo, and TEFAF Maastricht.
Jimmy Nelson : Between the Sea and the Sky
9 February – 21 September 2025
Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof
Vrijthof 18, 6211 LD Maastricht, Netherlands
www.fotomuseumaanhetvrijthof.nl
