From 20 November 2026, the Nederlands Fotomuseum presents Violette Cornelius Rediscovered. More than 200 works bring together the life and work of photographer and resistance fighter Violette Cornelius (1919–1998). Much of her work remained hidden for decades and only came to light after travelling cases containing thousands of negatives, slides, prints and documents were discovered.

Cornelius belonged to the first generation of women to make photography their profession. She studied at the Nieuwe Kunstschool in Amsterdam, where teachers including Paul Citroen and Paul Guermonprez introduced her to ideas from the Bauhaus.

Photographer and resistance fighter

During the Second World War, Cornelius played an active role in the artists’ resistance. She worked with the Persoonsbewijzencentrale, which produced forged identity documents, among other things. Her photographs of this resistance work form an exceptional visual record and were recognised as important heritage on UNESCO Netherlands’ Memory of the World Register.

After the war, Cornelius worked in architectural photography, reportage and photobooks. From the 1960s onwards, she travelled to countries including Mali, Iraq, India, Yemen and Peru. There she photographed the social impact of rapid urbanisation. By living and working among the people she photographed for extended periods, she developed an intimate and personal visual language.

Hidden in travelling cases

Many of her international reportages remained largely unknown for years. In 2003, the Nederlands Fotomuseum received travelling cases from Cornelius’ son containing thousands of negatives, slides, contact prints and documents. Another discovery followed in June 2026: five additional cases containing vintage prints, dummies, notes and books.

Nederlands Fotomuseum curator Loes van Harrevelt researched the archive and traced works by Cornelius held in other collections. This research forms the basis of Violette Cornelius Rediscovered.

The exhibition brings together more than 200 works, including vintage prints, archival material, exceptional loans and new prints. For the first time, the work of Violette Cornelius can be seen on this scale.

Violette Cornelius Rediscovered is on view at the Nederlands Fotomuseum from 20 November 2026 to 28 February 2027.