Text by John Devos
Hans van Manen passed away on 17 December 2025 at the age of 93. Hans van Manen was one of the most important choreographers of the post-war period and also a talented photographer.
His childhood was a story “from rags to riches”, which ultimately led him to become chief choreographer of the Dutch National Ballet (The Netherlands) and the Nederlands Dans Theater.
Connoisseurs are full of praise for his qualities: “With phenomenal musicality and a keen insight into human relationships, eroticism and equality, he brought dance back to its essence: pure, powerful and timeless. Simplicity is his motto, expressiveness his strong point – with a simple gesture of the hand or a glance, he allows his dancers to evoke a whole world of feelings.” (Dutch National Ballet)
This assessment is also confirmed internationally: “His influence is vast. Generations of choreographers absorbed his lessons in musicality, economy, and honesty. His works remain staples of major companies not because they are “modern classics,” but because they still feel unsparingly current.” (Cynthia Dragoni)
Van Manen and photography
Hans van Manen came into contact with Robert Mapplethorpe at a relatively early stage. This inspired him to pick up the camera himself, as a way of finding peace in the studio and darkroom. He photographs exclusively dancers in 6×6, portraits or nudes. (ill 1-8) He says about this: “I love the nude. Wearing clothing means filling the gaps in a story. I want to present something else: information, an impression – not a personal account. I make portraits – of people and parts of their bodies – that are as beautiful, objective and unsentimental as possible, but not insensitive.”
Van Manen, in turn, became a mentor to the young Erwin Olaf. He introduced him to the world of studio photography and the visual arts. For Hans van Manen’s 90th birthday in 2022 and their 40-year friendship, Erwin Olaf brought together two series of photographs at Galerie Ron Mandos in Amsterdam. The first, “Dance in Close up; Hans van Manen seen by Erwin Olaf”, consists of dance photographs of choreographies between 1971 and 1997. (ill 19-23). The second is a series of 9 +1 portraits of Hans van Manen in 2022. (ill 9-18)
Hans van Manen and his partner Henk van Dijk donated in 2019 a part of their collection, 21 photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe to the Rijksmuseum. This was followed in 2024 by a donation of 86 photographs by Van Manen himself.
Hans van Manen was an iconic figure in Dutch cultural life. We wish his partner and loved ones much strength during this difficult time.
Sources: Rijksmuseum; Het Nationale Ballet; Nina Siegal, The New York Times; Cynthia Dragoni; Hannibal editions; Lars Been, Ron Mandos Gallery Amsterdam.
The book “Dance in Close up; Hans van Manen seen by Erwin Olaf”(ill 24) was published in 2O22 by Hannibal Books, 32 x 31 cm, 120 pages, Linen hardcover, Quadrichromy, English edition, ISBN 978 94 6436 627 3; €59; https://hannibalbooks.be/en/dance-in-close-up
John Devos
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