Dutch Heritage

• Photographer
  Marjan Van Herpen
• Photo Date
  2021

You will often see tulips in my work. The ubiquitous tulip was extremely popular in the 17th century and was often traded at exorbitant prices. During the so-called “Tulip Mania” around 1637, a bulb could fetch the same price as a house on a canal in one of the major cities in the Netherlands. In those times, the rare varieties such as exotic striped and colourful ones were particularly popular. Delftware or Delft pottery, also known as Delft Blue is a famous Dutch tin-glazed earthenware, a form of faience.

Inspired by the 17th century masters, Marjan van Herpen photographs carefully lit still life compositions of a variety of flowers, vegetables and fruit. She works within an authentic Baroque style with exciting contrasts and remarkable use of light. Not only does she manage to record the objects and models on camera, but she also creates an image that you are pulled towards; a photograph which is surprising and lingers in your mind.