C-print
178 x 148 cm


Rineke Dijkstra’s photographic and video practice almost always involves series, in her view, it enables a deeper exploration of her subjects. Profoundly compassionate, the images tenderly penetrate to the psychologically foundation of her subjects. Often on the brink of transition, whether they are adolescents on the beach, a new army recruit, or children paused while playing in the park, she uses her lens to highlight emotional and psychological forces – in both the viewer and subject. Her intentionally uncluttered backgrounds, her use of natural daylight, and the almost life-sized photographs, generate an unprocessed image calling attention to the play between the subject and the photographer as well as the subject and the viewer. Likewise, the positioning of the subjects – usually standing facing towards the camera – is reminiscent of 19th century Dutch portraits by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Verspronck. All of these elements can be viewed in Erez, Golani Brigade, Elyacim, Israel, May 26, 1999, part of the “Israeli Soldiers” series, in which the posture and expression of an isolated soldier conveys both bravado and trepidation, with Dijkstra transforming an ordinary moment into something profound. – Alicia Reuter

Rineke Dijkstra (born 2 June 1959) is a Dutch photographer. She lives and works in Amsterdam. Dijkstra has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society the 1999 Citibank Private Bank Photography Prize (now Deutsche Börse Photography Prize)  and the 2017 Hasselblad Award.

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