From our correspondent in the Netherlands, Jaap Bosman.

On December 14, 2009 an exhibition of portraits by Geert Snoeijer of members of the Holland Society of New York was opened for the public. The photos are on display in a corridor in the town hall of Amsterdam, next to the opera hall (Muziektheater). The opening was attended by about 200 people, including several members of the Holland Society who were in Amsterdam to see the display with their portraits. We met Bromme H. Cole, Stephen Van Ness, Walton Van Winkle III, dr. Andrew A. Hendricks, James R. Van Wagner and Peter G. Ten Eyck II.

The Holland Society in New York was founded in 1885 to collect information about the settlement and history of New Netherland. Members of the Holland Society of New York are males who are a descendant of an ancestor who lived in Nieuw Nederland before or during 1675. A Genealogy Committee will study ones application for membership.

Mr. Snoeijer took the pictures of the members of the Holland society in the style of 17th century Dutch Masters to create a connection between the descendants on the photo and their 17th century ancestors. Each photo shows objects that tell part of the subject's story. Robert Quackenbush, an author and illustrator of children's books, is pictured with painting equipment, brush and palette. The photo of James R. Van Wagner shows a picture of a soldier, a reminder of the military history of his forefathers. In portraits of the old Dutch masters one always sees such objects.

Opening
Mr. Krans, a friend of Geert Snoeijer, announced Carolien Gehrels, Alderman for Arts and Culture of Amsterdam. She likened the photos of the members of the Holland Society Of New York to paintings of the Dutch masters such as Frans Hals and Rembrand. Martine Gosselink, Head History Department of Rijksmuseum, spoke about the first inhabitants of Nieuw Amsterdam, for instance Catalina Trico and her friend Joris Rapalje. After the lecture of Martine Gosselink the exhibition was officially opened by Julie A. Ruterbories, Consul General of the United States.

Curator Martine Gosselink was very much involved in American-Dutch history and visited New York. She is a friend of Mr. Snoeijer and she told him about the Holland Society, about these men being very proud of their Dutch roots. Mr. Snoeijer: "I wanted to make the portraits of these men". Mr. Snoeijer visited the Holland Society and photographed society members. He had this question in mind: "Can you still see their heritage in their facial features? Donald Westerveld for example, traces his heritage to the village of Westerveld in Drenthe, and you can still see that in his features. In his face I also see the features of a Native American. "

"Pictures as images of the soul"
The exhibition shows 23 portraits. Mr. Snoeijer tries to make his images reflect the soul of its subjects: "That's the best part of this work; pictures as images of the soul. I use a a ZONE VI view camera, a technical camera, and when taking an image I have a dark cloth over my head, like a photographer from the good old days".

"I would have preferred to photograph them at their homes but this was impractical since the members live throughout the United States, so we met in New York. I've been to New York five times now, every time scheduling a day for portrait sessions, 1.5 hours per session."

When Mr. Snoeijer met Robert Quackenbush for a photo session they became friends. "Robert and I both see the world in pictures, he being a painter, I being a photographer". Mr. Snoeijer asked if Mr. Quackenbush would mind posing before an oil painting of Mr. Quackenbush's illustrious ancestor Wyn Quackenbush Mabie. "No way!" said Mr. Quackenbush jovially. "She had her turn. Now it's my turn! I'll let you take a portrait of me with your camera if you let me paint an oil portrait of you at the same time!" It was agreed, and Mr. Snoeijer's portrait is now visible in the photograph of Mr. Quackenbush.

A selection of the portraits can be seen on Geert Snoeijer's website.

Geert Snoeijer
Mr. Snoeijer was born 1968 in IJsselmuiden, the Netherlands. Following a brief career as a lawyer in Brussels and Amsterdam, he became an assistant to creative photographer Emilio Brizzi and a year later he joined the Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool. Nowadays his work, which focuses on portraits and stories, is published in numerous national and international media.
Mr. Snoeijer has a very positive impression of New York and the people of the city, this was his first visit to New York and the USA. "The idea of the photographs was well received and people were full of energy when making the picture. It's like anything is possible in New York, there is so much enthusiasm for new things! People were very cooperative and getting things prepared for the picture sessions went smoothly".

This is Mr. Snoeijer's first great exhibition with an opening party and he is very pleased with the number of people that attended. He would like to continue the portrait series, and is considering publishing a book. There are no definite plans yet to display the exhibition in the United States.

The Holland Society of New York, exhibition by Geert Snoeijer.
December 14, 2009 through January 10, 2010 in Amsterdam City Hall/Stopera
January 12, 2010 through February 19, 2010 in World Trade Center Amsterdam
http://www.geert-snoeijer.com/

Art in front of Amsterdam City Hall.

Photo exhibition in Amsterdam City Hall.

Pete G. Ten Eyck II in Amsterdam.