Barend Arendsen: 1867-1918

The following biography is from the 2010 volume In atmosferisch licht : picturalisme in de Nederlandse fotografie, 1890-1925

Barend Arendsen started his working life as a confectioner. By the turn of the century he was a passionate amateur photographer, attracted to Pictorialism.

He mastered various processes and enjoyed in particular making carbon prints. Arendsen’s photographs and lantern slides of landscapes and street scenes, published and exhibited between 1901 and 1908, won several medals; particularly esteemed were his winter landscapes and studies of sheep.

Descendants of Arendsen have said that he played oboe in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra but, unable to earn his living, he looked for another profession. He was asked by the architect of the city’s Rijksmuseum, P.J.H. Cuypers (1827-1921), to do photographic work for the museum, and in time he became a professional photographer specializing in museum photography. Only a few examples of Arendsen’s work are held in public collections.

Editorial comment for this plate:

With the plate.   (translated)

As prize winner in our first competition of this year (winter landscapes) Mr. B W. Arendsen appeared. Mr. Arendsen is a versatile amateur, who is a formidable competitor in all competitions.We present as picture of the month his award-winning “Singel te Amsterdam”. As Mr. A. informs us, this photo, which has now been admitted to the Paris Salon, has also attracted attention there and he has been asked for permission to have this photo produced in heliogravure. In the meantime, it is our pleasure to be able to offer it to our readers in heliography.