At the turn of the twentieth century, Rotterdam stood on the brink of profound changes. Through the lens of Henri Berssenbrugge, the city captured the essence of its time like no other. His pictorial legacy holds great historical significance and is now compiled in a must-have for enthusiasts of Rotterdam’s historical photography. Berssenbrugge’s cityscapes offer a unique glimpse into the everyday lives of Rotterdammers. “Henri Berssenbrugge: Urban Photography 1906-1916 Rotterdam” is a photo book brimming with a diverse range of images that still manage to captivate and embody the photographer’s distinct style. Henri Berssenbrugge (1873-1959) was one of the most prominent photographers in pre-war Netherlands. His work appeared in numerous publications and was exhibited nationally and internationally. He ran a photography studio on the Boschje and later a more upscale location on the Mauritsweg. Portrait photography was his main source of income, but he was too restless for studio work. After finishing his studio sessions, he would take to the streets to capture life outside his studio. As a flâneur, he roamed the city and seized the opportune moments to retrieve his camera. Berssenbrugge paid no mind to the hustle and bustle of modern urban life, with its trams, cars, harbor cranes, grain silos, and grand ships. He was not interested in the future of the city. Instead, he sought the city that still existed and would soon disappear.
www.ftn-books.com has several Berssenbrugge pubications now available.
