The museum is open from Tuesday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 pm.
Statendam 1 (Wilhelminapier), Rotterdam
Gallery of Honour of Dutch Photography
9 June 2021, 11.00 - 15 December 2024, 17.00
In the Gallery of Honor of Dutch Photography, 99 iconic photos tell the story of the development of photography in the Netherlands from 1842 to the present. The Gallery of Honor showcases the highlights, innovations, and the significant strides photographers made from the invention of photography to the innovations of today. The photos are of iconic value due to their social and artistic significance.
180 years of photography
The Gallery of Honor begins with the earliest examples of photos, the so-called daguerreotypes, and showcases the work of dozens of photographers who pushed boundaries and developed new techniques. From black-and-white to color photography to the digital era.
99 iconic images
The Gallery of Honor is designed to inspire everyone with images from the fascinating development of 180 years of photography. Admire photos by Anton Corbijn, Ed van der Elsken, Violette Cornelius, Erwin Olaf, and many others. Discover the icons of the future. Together, they showcase the richness of Dutch photography.
Treasury
In the Treasury of the Gallery of Honor, original works that are rarely displayed are showcased. Currently, new works are on display in the Treasury.
A photo by Rineke Dijkstra from the series Beach Portraits and two original glass negatives over 100 years old are currently on display. One of these was created by Richard Tepe. The other is the now world-famous self-portrait that Katharina Behrend made in 1908. Additionally, you can see a densely annotated contact sheet by Ed van der Elsken, showing how the photographer made his selection from a series of shots of Vali Meyers in Paris.
Gallery of Honor App
With vivid image and audio stories, the app explains what makes each photo so special and why it deserves a place in the Gallery of Honor The app is available for download via the Apple App Store and Google Play. Scan the QR codes and discover all 99 stories.
Theme routes
Who are the women of the Gallery of Honor?
At the Dutch Fotomuseum, we pay special attention each year to the women in our collection and in the Gallery of Honor. The work of women has remained unseen for too long. The thematic route "Who Are the Women in the Gallery of Honor?" guides you through ten images featured in the Gallery of Honor of Dutch photography. The thematic route is available for free at the visitor information desk in the museum.
Traces of the slavery past
During the commemoration year (2023), the Netherlands reflected on its history of slavery, 150 years after the actual abolition of slavery in the former Dutch colonies in 1873. The Dutch Fotomuseum also addresses this theme. Through various iconic photos, the thematic route explores how the legacy of slavery and the associated colonial past have shaped society and continue to influence the present. The thematic route is available for free at the visitor information desk in the museum.
A stone in the Maas
The Dutch Fotomuseum is a stone's throw away from the Maas River. Long ago, the city of Rotterdam originated by this river. Thanks to the Maas, Rotterdam has been able to develop into the global city it is today. This thematic route guides you through the history of Rotterdam with the Maas as the central thread. You will learn more about the background of the photos, the photographers, or the subjects. The thematic route is available for free at the visitor information desk in the museum.
De camera als wapen
In het verleden is de camera vaak opgepakt om misstanden en onrecht aan de kaak te stellen. Fotografen, beeldend kunstenaars en foto-amateurs geloofden in de kracht van het beeld. Door te laten zien, hoopten zij iets aan de wereld te kunnen veranderen. Deze route neemt je mee door de geschiedenis van de camera als strijdmiddel en wapen. De themaroute is gratis af te halen bij de bezoekersbalie in het museum.
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