Erwin Olaf (1959–2023) - Isabel






Over 35 years' experience; former gallery owner and Museum Folkwang curator.
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Description from the seller
This work is a photograph by Erwin Olaf titled Isabel, taken from the Fall series (2008). In this series Olaf creates an intriguing and unsettling atmosphere, in which the subjects radiate a striking detachment. With their eyes half-open, the gaze averted from the camera and directed at an undefined point in the distance, the models seem to inhabit a world between reality and dream. The portraits are alternated with carefully composed still lifes of plants and flowers in simple ceramic vases, which reinforce the still and contemplative mood of the series.
Through the subtle use of color, the somewhat uncomfortable and enigmatic expressions on the models’ faces, and the almost unreal setting, Fall evokes feelings of melancholy, vulnerability, and introspection. The series forms a logical continuation of Olaf’s earlier groups Grief, Hope, and Rain, in which similar themes of emotion, memory, and human vulnerability are central. With Isabel Olaf again demonstrates his exceptional ability to use photography as a medium where beauty, psychological depth, and cinematic imagination come together.
Erwin Olaf (1959–2023) was an internationally renowned Dutch photographer, known for his meticulously staged photography in which every detail was carefully orchestrated. Themes such as beauty, sexuality, identity, and transience played important roles in his work. He gained worldwide recognition and created, among other things, portraits of the Dutch royal family.
Dimensions: 142 × 107 cm
Dimensions with frame: 147 × 112 cm
Provenance: Flatland Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Viewing is, of course, possible. In addition, we have our own in-house framing workshop, celebrating its 85th anniversary. We also work with restorers from the professional association: “Restauratoren Nederland.” If you would like to take advantage of this, we would of course be happy to hear from you.
Seller's Story
This work is a photograph by Erwin Olaf titled Isabel, taken from the Fall series (2008). In this series Olaf creates an intriguing and unsettling atmosphere, in which the subjects radiate a striking detachment. With their eyes half-open, the gaze averted from the camera and directed at an undefined point in the distance, the models seem to inhabit a world between reality and dream. The portraits are alternated with carefully composed still lifes of plants and flowers in simple ceramic vases, which reinforce the still and contemplative mood of the series.
Through the subtle use of color, the somewhat uncomfortable and enigmatic expressions on the models’ faces, and the almost unreal setting, Fall evokes feelings of melancholy, vulnerability, and introspection. The series forms a logical continuation of Olaf’s earlier groups Grief, Hope, and Rain, in which similar themes of emotion, memory, and human vulnerability are central. With Isabel Olaf again demonstrates his exceptional ability to use photography as a medium where beauty, psychological depth, and cinematic imagination come together.
Erwin Olaf (1959–2023) was an internationally renowned Dutch photographer, known for his meticulously staged photography in which every detail was carefully orchestrated. Themes such as beauty, sexuality, identity, and transience played important roles in his work. He gained worldwide recognition and created, among other things, portraits of the Dutch royal family.
Dimensions: 142 × 107 cm
Dimensions with frame: 147 × 112 cm
Provenance: Flatland Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Viewing is, of course, possible. In addition, we have our own in-house framing workshop, celebrating its 85th anniversary. We also work with restorers from the professional association: “Restauratoren Nederland.” If you would like to take advantage of this, we would of course be happy to hear from you.
