View at Katendrecht, Rotterdam, June 2026
Rotterdam is the economic heart of the Netherlands and home to Europe's biggest harbour. Rebuilt after World War 2 modelled after American cities it stands out for a Dutch city. With a population of about 609,000 inhabitants (1.02 million if satellites included) it is the second largest settlement of the Netherlands. The people are known for having a straightforward, no-nonsense mentality.
I have only recently started to rediscover my photowork of Rotterdam I took during the years. But I will kick off with an entirely fresh series. During a very hot summer day I sought cooling refuge in the relocated Dutch Photo Museum on the Katendrecht peninsula — not far from the city centre.
Nederlands Fotomuseum (Dutch Photo Museum)
With the aim to grow to 7.5 million objects in 2028, the Dutch Photo Museum (Nederlands Fotomuseum) reopened in the former Santos warehouse on the Katendrecht peninsula on 7 February 2026. Inside the visitor is offered the highlights of Dutch photography — partly interactive, partly static. WDJArchitecten of Rotterdam were commissioned to revamp the Santos warehouse, which has led — in my view — to one of the very best exhibition spaces for photography in Europe. They also designed the eye-catching aluminium rooftop structure.
A wallsize lightbox with a selection of some of the best Dutch photography work, Dutch Photo Museum, June 2026.
The café on the bottom floor.
Exciting discoveries on one of the floors.
Horizontal and diagonal lines created in the central staircase, keeping an industrial feeling to it.
The temporary exhibition Quickscan 3, June 2026.
The interactive photo wall is the first stop on the 1st floor.
See through at the central staircase from one of the higher floors.
View over parts of Rotterdam from the bistro on the top floor.
The view to the north is somewhat 'sandy', June 2026.
The historic collection includes the entire heritage of famous Dutch photographer Ed van der Elsken (1925-1990)
Roughed up concrete elements are kept in the central staircase and interact nicely with the industrial metal beams.
