Location: Netherlands
Photographer Marie-Jeanne van Hövell tot Westerflier is mostly known for her timeless, serene black and white photographs of winter scenes of Amsterdam, the interiors of Amsterdam canal houses, and intimate portraits. In 2009 and 2014 she published her praised books Amsterdam Winterscapes and Hidden Beauty, with an exhibition held for the latter in September/October 2014.
She uses an analogue Hasselbladcamera and the light available, which results in atmospheric black and white images that always contain an element of mystery. Her photographs have a completely unique style and character, and make the apparently invisible visible.
For the last couple of years Marie-Jeanne has also allowed colours in her work, seen in her staged still lifes, the Contemplation series, by using a digital back on her Hasselbladcamera. These still lifes have a painting-like quality.
Another series in colour is At the Window, in which she introduces models, more or less anonymous, sometimes only a silhouette, creating an unreal atmosphere. She creates human still lifes which evoke associations with the women painted by Johannes Vermeer (1632- 1675).
During her years of photography Marie-Jeanne has discovered what touches her deeply – the layer under the surface, stillness and utter simplicity. She has developed her own distinct style. She likes timeless photographs which provide space for one’s own imagination, thoughts and feelings.
Contemplation series
The White Blouse
At the Window
Amsterdam Winter Scenes
Hidden Beauty (interiors)
The white Blouse is a project that has been running for several years and resulted in a book ' the white blouse' being published in 2019.
The photographer photographed young and old people, famous and unknown in an old white blouse from 1912. ' The White Blouse' was also exhibited for 4 months in a solo show at the well known Singer Museum in The Netherlands.
Another series in colour is 'At the Window' , in which Marie-Jeanne introduces models, more or less anonymous, sometimes only a silhouette, creating an unreal atmosphere. She creates human still lifes which evoke associations with the women painted by Johannes Vermeer (1632- 1675).
Amsterdam City Views
Photographer Marie-Jeanne van Hövell tot Westerflier is mostly known for her timeless, serene black and white photographs of winter scenes of Amsterdam. These photos were taken between 1998 and 2012 and resulted in a book and several exhibitions.
Contemplation Still Life
For the last couple of years Marie-Jeanne has also allowed colours in her work, seen in her staged still lifes, the Contemplation series, by using a digital back on her Hasselbladcamera. These still lifes have a painting-like quality.
Hidde Beauty
The photographer photographed 3 century old canal houses with her Hasselblad camera in analog black and white. This resulted in a book and solo exhibition.
From the White Blouse series
From the ' At the Window' series, photographed in a 17th century old canal house in Amsterdam
From the Amsterdam City Views series
From the Contemplation Still Life series
Interiorphotography ' Hidden Beauty': three century old canal houses in Amsterdam were being photographed with an old Hasselbladcamera
“The White Blouse”
“At the Window”
“Amsterdam City views”
“Contemplation Still Life”
“Hidden Beauty”
