Bertien van Manen

Why this artist matters now

Bertien van Manen was a Dutch photographer known for intimate, unflinching portraits and family documentation made across five decades. Working primarily in black and white, she photographed domestic interiors, children, and elderly subjects with a directness that resisted sentimentality. Her practice engaged the psychological and emotional registers of everyday life, often returning to the same families and communities over extended periods. Van Manen's work appeared in major exhibitions and publications from the 1970s onward, establishing her as a significant figure in postwar European photography.

Source: Moma Bulk 2026 05 04 · Trust score: 92% · Updated 1mo ago