Monogram 10 - Eva Roefs’ AMSTERDAM

Eva Roefs’ AMSTERDAM: A Portrait of a City Through Its People

Eva Roefs’ AMSTERDAM offers a striking visual study of the Dutch capital, focusing on its people rather than its iconic urban landscapes. Roefs approached young individuals in Amsterdam’s streets and photographed them in her studio in the Red Light District. The result is a powerful series of black-and-white portraits that strip away the city’s environment, honing in on the human experience.

Each image features a subject set against a stark white background, their expressions and gazes defining Amsterdam in place of its physical landmarks. This absence of setting shifts the focus to the interaction between the subject, the medium, and the artist. The portraits feel intimate yet analytical, capturing the spirit of the city through the individuality and expressiveness of its people.

Roefs’ dedication to traditional photographic techniques elevates the series. The depth and richness of each image, achieved through meticulous hand printing in the darkroom, add a tactile quality that underscores the artistry behind the work. AMSTERDAM is a testament to the soul of the city, revealed not through its architecture but through the faces of those who inhabit it.