photo: © Jan Vermeer — Bolete
Paddenstoelen by photographer Jan Vermeer portrays those mysterious forms that appear in woods and fields. They are fascinating and capricious: neither plants nor animals. They can suddenly emerge in all their glory and disappear just as quickly.
The Netherlands has around six thousand mushroom species. Nitrogen emissions are making the soil increasingly nutrient-rich, causing many mushroom species to disappear or even become extinct. The diversity we have is visibly declining.
Nature photographer Jan Vermeer, who has traveled the world for his photographic work, began noticing the small wonders unfolding in his garden during the lockdowns—beauty close to home. Fascinated by the aesthetics of these remarkable fungi, he decided to travel across the Netherlands to photograph them.
The remarkable photographs were soon noticed and published by the prestigious National Geographic magazine. Magazines in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands also ran major features. This attention and publication inspired Jan Vermeer to bring together the most beautiful Dutch mushrooms in a book. Vermeer’s approach and distinctive vision produced a unique collection of artistic photographs.
“Mushrooms as art. Abstract paintings, but drawn from reality.” — National Geographic
Paddenstoelen — Jan Vermeer
Pages: 176
Price: € 49.95
ISBN: 9789081696531. Language: Dutch. This article refers to the Dutch-language edition.
