HOLLANDS LICHT

What is 'Dutch Light'? As legend will have it, the light in the Netherlands is special, even measurably different from light in all other countries. It has inspired countless painters and gave birth to the geniuses of Vermeer and Rembrandt, of van Goyen and van Ruisdael. According to the German artist Joseph Beuys, though, this light was lost, when the Ijsselmeer was reclaimed. But how much does artistic talent depend on location? And is the relationship of Dutch painters with light and observation really that special?

Filmmakers Pieter-Rim and Maarten de Kroon set out to answer these questions in their film Dutch Light. Light itself is at the center of this beautifully shot film which examines the light of different cities; seen, painted and written about by artists from the Netherlands and abroad.

Painters, art historians and scientists are portrayed in the film. They give their opinion on 'Dutch Light', and speak about paintings and about 'Dutch Light' as source of inspiration.

But the film does not stay in The Netherlands: we see the saturated light in Naples and the soft and hazy light of Ile de France and the light of Normandy , where Jongkind, Monet, Boudin and others painted. We even travel to America where the Arizona sun has even inspired Dutch artist Willem de Kooning. A study in light – if there really is a difference, that is.

"With masterly craftsmanship the makers have made a film about something that is not visible. Your eyes are going open after seeing this brilliant documentary. It seems the film teaches you to look again and again." (Jury report at IDFA) 

Best long documentary at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam 2004

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