We learned from our correspondant in the Netherlands, John Devos, of the passing of artist Bertien van Manen (The Hague, 1935). Annet Gelink Gallery in Amsterdam sent the following text.
Bertien van Manen was an internationally renowned photographer who left a lasting impression on the world of photography and the people around her.
Bertien van Manen began her career as a fashion photographer in the 1970s. However, her work soon evolved into documentary photography, focusing on capturing the daily lives and intimate moments of people worldwide. The raw and direct nature of documentary photography suited her better than the beautification of fashion shots. Additionally, photography offered Van Manen the opportunity to break free from the rigid confines of the housewife role that prevailed at the time and to ride the wave of the second feminist movement.
In the years that followed, Van Manen photographed all over the world, undertaking long journeys during which she formed close bonds with the people she met. In the 1980s, she drove alone in a pick-up truck through the Appalachians to capture female miners—an interest that began early in her youth. Her work took her further to Western Sahara, Nicaragua, much of Eastern Europe, and from English mining villages to the former Soviet Union and China. Despite her frequent involvement in conflict areas, Van Manen’s photos were significantly different from the picturesque images of poverty and hardships produced by her contemporaries. She sought customs, encounters, and conversations—focusing on the individuals behind the historical events. To this day, she is praised for her intimate perspective, eye for detail, and the sensitivity evident in her images.
Throughout her impressive career, Bertien van Manen published several influential photobooks, including “A Hundred Summers, A Hundred Winters” (1994), “East Wind West Wind” (2001), and “Let’s Sit Down Before We Go” (2011). Her work has been exhibited in leading museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. In addition to Annet Gelink Gallery, she is represented by Yancey Richardson Gallery, New York, Robert Morat Gallery, Berlin, and In Camera Gallery, Paris.
Bertien van Manen’s legacy is a testament to her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of human existence. Annet Gelink Gallery will deeply miss her artistic vision and warm personality. Her work will undoubtedly continue to be a source of inspiration and reflection for future generations.
Our thoughts go out to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her. We will remember Bertien van Manen as an exceptional artist and a dear friend.
Annet Gelink Gallery
Annet Gelink Gallery
Laurierstraat 189
1016 PL Amsterdam, Netherlands
www.annetgelink.com
