Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen The hidden treasures of Belgian photo history 17 December 2010 – 12 March 2011 www.anamorfose.be
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Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen (1884 – 1966) The hidden treasures of Belgian photo history
The Belgian photo history is one of the richest in Europe but at the same time one of the best kept secrets in art history. A fascinating, but slightly forgotten, period in the history of photography is certainly pictorialism. Pictorialism can be considered the impressionism in photography. Pictorialism takes us back to the beginning of the previous century when certain photographers tried to move away from technical and documentary photography and tried to conquer a place for photography amongst the internationally recognised forms of art. This quest resulted in a new language and technique. Photographs with soft focus and somewhat blur representing the ideal world became the photographer’s answer to impressionism. With artisanal and unique prints. The extreme opposite of what we see in contemporary photography. Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen (1884_1966) was an amateur photographer from Antwerp playing an important role in the pictorialist movement in the beginning of the 20th Century. Having his daily professional activities in the Antwerp Harbour, he was also an active amateur photographer, as were most pictorialists. He was amongst others the president of the photo society “Iris” and the drive behind many photographic societies of those days. He published in international publications in the Twenties and Thirties. The Antwerp Fotomuseum dedicated an exhibition to Borrenbergen in 1984 and published for this occasion a catalogue of his work.
One of the First international publication of “Een zonnig hoekje” by Borrenbergen in “Photograms of the year 1924”. Contrary to his comtemporary Léonard Misonne, Borrenbergen was wrongly a little forgotten in time.
The themes in Borrenbergen’s photography In his early years Borrenbergen focused mainly on the simple rural life of the Antwerp Kempen, which was slowly disappearing due to the industrial revolution. But at the same time he photographed the upcoming activities in the Antwerp Harbour, which was his professional habitat.
Landscapes, city views and still lives were the typical themes of the pictorialist photographer. Borrenbergen gave a very unique and personal interpretation of these themes.
His work is characterised by an extreme focus on composition and light. He was the master of print, preferring the bromoil, one of the most difficult alternative processes. A bromoil is a photographical technique based on oil and pigments. An artisanal technique giving the photographer a lot of freedom and creativity in the print of the photograph.
Even in the Fifties, when others had already given up the bromoil, he remained convinced of the value of this technique. But this didn’t prevent him from experimenting with modernist techniques and his photographic language evolved in time.
Being the president of the photo society “Iris” in Antwerp and the published of the magazine carrying the same name, he influenced an entire generation of photographers.
Magnum opus Borrenbergen’s magnum opus certainly is his portfolio Rivierenhof made in 1926. A collection of 30 large print photographs on the Antwerp park Rivierenhof.
The portfolio is not a documentary of a location of a sample of Borrenbergen’s photographic talent. The portfolio shows the park in all seasons. The eye catchers are certainly the landscapes in the snow.
Characteristic are the largeness of the prints. Usually the prints from this period were rather small in size due to the technical limitations. It must have been a real challenge for Borrenbergen to produce 30 magnificent prints of 30 x 40cm.
One of the top prints is number IX, De Tenisspelers. The subject is so atypical for the pictorialist period which was mainly static. This photograph is a snapshot put in a pictorialist setting. The light in the fence and the subject are modernist whereas the finish is impressionist. The photographer’s point of view and the balanced composition add a voyeurist element to this image.
The combination of these puts Borrenbergen on the level of the great French, German, English and American pictorialists.
04 Na de aanvaring Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4150,0) 1923, Belgium Bromoil 27,5 X 22,5 cm
30 Eerste zonnestralen, Brugge Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4163,0) 1925, Belgium Bromoil 36,8 X 25,7 cm
45 From the portfolio Rivierenhof I Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4165,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil 37,6 X 28,2 cm
32 From the portfolio Rivierenhof XXVII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4167,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil 28,5 X 38,8 cm
15 From the portfolio Rivierenhof IV Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4181,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil 27,2 X 37,1 cm
14 From the portfolio Rivierenhof XXX Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4184,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil 27,3 X 38,0 cm
19 From the portfolio Rivierenhof IX Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4188,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil 27,8 X 38,9 cm
01 Antwerp Cathedral Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4155,0) 1949, Belgium Bromoil 36,3 X 26,8 cm
02 Lichtp端nktchen Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4145,0) 1936, Belgium Chlorobromide 22,0 X 28,5 cm
03 In the harbour Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4156,0) 1933, Belgium Pigment print 38,0 X 28,0 cm
39 Jeu de lignes Ă Paris Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4162,0) 1950, Belgium Bromure 37,5 X 27,5 cm
01 Antwerp Cathedral Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4155,0) 1949, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
36,3 X 26,8 cm
1200,0 Euro
02 Lichtp端nktchen Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4145,0) 1936, Belgium Chlorobromide Excellent
22,0 X 28,5 cm
1200,0 Euro
03 In the harbour Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4156,0) 1933, Belgium Pigment print Good
38,0 X 28,0 cm
250,0 Euro
04 Na de aanvaring Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4150,0) 1923, Belgium Bromoil Good
27,5 X 22,5 cm
250,0 Euro
05 De Zeehaven Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4151,0) 1939, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
24,4 X 34,4 cm
950,0 Euro
06 Dikke lucht Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4152,0) 1951, Belgium Mediobrom Excellent
38,4 X 28,5 cm
950,0 Euro Published in: Andries, Pool, “Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, fotograaf, 1884 - 1966�, Museum voor Fotografie, Antwerp, 1984 Exhibitons: Antwerp, 1950 Newport, 1953 Stockholm, 1952 Edinburg, 1953
07 Reflex Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4144,0) 1934, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,5 X 22,0 cm
850,0 Euro
08 Cranes Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4153,0) 1924, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
23,8 X 37,2 cm
850,0 Euro
09 L’ Eclaircie Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4154,0) 1930, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
15,0 X 21,5 cm
550,0 Euro
10 Harde werkers Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4158,0) 1944, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,5 X 37,4 cm
650,0 Euro Label on the back: XXV Salon Internacional de Fotografia, Zaragoza, Octubre 1949.
11 Springsnow Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4146,0) 1932, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
37,4 X 27,8 cm
650,0 Euro
12 In our Campine Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4161,0) 1952, Belgium Mediobrom Excellent
27,0 X 38,0 cm
850,0 Euro Stamp on the back: Seattle International
13 Rural scene Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4148,0) 1917, Belgium Vintage silver print Excellent 28,8 X 40,0 cm
Euro
14 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXX Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4184,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,3 X 38,0 cm
750,0 Euro
15 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” IV Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4181,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,2 X 37,1 cm
750,0 Euro
16 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” VI Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4180,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,3 X 37,4 cm
750,0 Euro
17 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XIII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4183,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,9 X 38,4 cm
750,0 Euro Published in: Andries, Pool, “Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, fotograaf, 1884 - 1966”, Museum voor Fotografie, Antwerp, 1984
18 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” VII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4171,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
28,5 X 38,3 cm
750,0 Euro
19 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” IX Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4188,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,8 X 38,9 cm
1200,0 Euro
20 Een zonnig hoekje Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4147,0) 1924, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
28,0 X 38,7 cm
950,0 Euro Publication: Photogram of the Year, 1924 Exhibitions: London, 1924 Seattle, 1924 Cannes, 1932
21 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XI Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4178,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
26,5 X 37,3 cm
750,0 Euro
22 Waterspel Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4164,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
24,5 X 38,0 cm
850,0 Euro From the portfolio “Rivierenhof
23 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” V Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4177,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
28,0 X 38,3 cm
750,0 Euro
24 Two beautiful dogs Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4159,0) 1927, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
22,0 X 26,7 cm
750,0 Euro
25 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4187,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
37,8 X 26,5 cm
750,0 Euro
26 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XV Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4174,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
28,5 X 38,0 cm
750,0 Euro
27 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” II Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4179,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
37,5 X 28,5 cm
750,0 Euro
28 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XVII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4186,0) 1926, Belgium Vintage silver print Excellent 26,5 X 36,5 cm
750,0 Euro Published in: Andries, Pool, “Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, fotograaf, 1884 - 1966”, Museum voor Fotografie, Antwerp, 1984
29 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XIV Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4166,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,0 X 37,8 cm
750,0 Euro Published in: Andries, Pool, “Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, fotograaf, 1884 - 1966”, Museum voor Fotografie, Antwerp, 1984
30 Eerste zonnestralen, Brugge Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4163,0) 1925, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
36,8 X 25,7 cm
850,0 Euro Published in: Andries, Pool, “Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, fotograaf, 1884 - 1966”, Museum voor Fotografie, Antwerp, 1984
31 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXI Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4182,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,0 X 38,3 cm
750,0 Euro
32 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXVII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4167,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
28,5 X 38,8 cm
750,0 Euro
33 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXX Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4176,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
29,0 X 37,6 cm
750,0 Euro
34 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXIV Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4170,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
27,5 X 38,3 cm
750,0 Euro
35 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXIII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4169,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
28,3 X 38,3 cm
750,0 Euro
36 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4185,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
28,0 X 38,4 cm
750,0 Euro
37 Winterzon Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4149,0) 1931, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
24,5 X 33,5 cm
650,0 Euro
38 Spring at Bruges Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4160,0) 1928, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
35,8 X 28,0 cm
850,0 Euro Published in: Andries, Pool, “Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, fotograaf, 1884 - 1966”, Museum voor Fotografie, Antwerp, 1984 Exhibitions: Pittsburg, 1928 Dunkerque, 1928 Roubaix, 1928 Stockholm, 1929 Lancashire, 1929
39 Jeu de lignes à Paris Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4162,0) 1950, Belgium Bromure Excellent
37,5 X 27,5 cm
850,0 Euro Exhibitions: Wenen, 1950 Innsbruck, 1950 Klagenfurth, 1950 Japan, 1952
40 Self-portrait Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4157,0) +/- 1950, Belgium Vintage silver print Excellent 29,0 X 39,0 cm
500,0 Euro
41 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” VIII Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4168,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
35,5 X 28,9 cm
750,0 Euro
42 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XX Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4173,0) 1926, Belgium Vintage silver print Excellent 28,0 X 38,3 cm
750,0 Euro
43 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” XXVI Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4175,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
37,5 X 28,3 cm
750,0 Euro
44 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” III Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4172,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
37,1 X 27,6 cm
750,0 Euro
45 From the portfolio “Rivierenhof” I Jozef Emiel Borrenbergen, (id 4165,0) 1926, Belgium Bromoil Excellent
37,6 X 28,2 cm
750,0 Euro
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Š Anamorfose, 2010