Helena van der Kraan

Helena van der Kraan (1940-2020), is known for photographing her friends, acquaintances, and objects in natural daylight. The grey background is a prominent feature in her portraiture as it is reminiscent of the Czechoslovakia landscapes in which she grew up. After having fled Czechoslovakia in 1968, Van der Kraan was accepted for postgraduate study at the Ateliers ‘63 in Haarlem.

Van der Kraan’s oeuvre spans fifty years and is known for its subdued quality. The images she creates are unadorned and subtle and speak for themselves. Her work is highly regarded in photography circles and also holds a special place in many Dutch museum collections.