Paul Huf: Young Woman (1942)


Most people are not aware that the Rijksmuseum has an impressive collection of photographs by both national and international artists. This portrait is made by Paul Huf, a Dutch photographer who lived from 1924 to 2002. He photographed the Dutch Queen Juliana, but also worked for Playboy, Grolsch and KLM. The Rijksmuseum owns 165 works made by Huf. When the museum reopens its main building, it will include more works from the 20th century. Huf’s photographs were purchased with this new concept in mind.
The portrait shown here is Tonny/Erna, made in 1942, the year Huf got his first camera. It’s in George Hurrell style, which is to say Hollywood glamour photography of that time. It is also reminiscent of Man Ray, which is not surprising: Huf’s teacher was one of Man Ray’s pupils.

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