Jimmy Nelson: Between the Sea and the Sky

Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht proudly presents 'Between the Sea and the Sky', an impressive exhibition by renowned photographic artist Jimmy Nelson, running from 9 February until 21 September 2025. The exhibition debuts analogue large-format portraits as part of a collection of 65 photographs and two videos, capturing twenty Dutch communities in traditional costumes. Set against the picturesque backdrops of fishing villages, polder landscapes, and fortified towns, each image is bathed in the iconic Dutch natural light. With his colourful work, Nelson celebrates the beauty, cultural richness, and authenticity of humanity.

The British-Dutch photographer enjoys international acclaim for his groundbreaking works 'Before They Pass Away' (2013) and 'Homage to Humanity' (2018), which brought global attention to unique indigenous communities from the world’s most remote areas. With the coffee table book 'Between the Sea and the Sky' (2022), Nelson turned his lens towards his adopted homeland, presenting an artistic narrative of the Netherlands through more than 350 intimate portraits and iconic landscapes.

With this inspiring series, Jimmy Nelson pays a personal, visual homage to Dutch cultural heritage and age-old traditions. He combines the timeless elegance of Dutch naturalism with the fine art of contemporary portrait photography. For the individual and group portraits, the passionate artist and storyteller uses an analogue large-format camera. This results in painterly, romantic images full of exquisite details, reminiscent of the famous Dutch masters.

The combination of the intrinsic beauty of human diversity and shared heritage reinforces a profound sense of global connectedness - a recurring theme in Nelson's work. Through these images, visitors are invited to engage in an immersive visual dialogue, reflecting on the importance of cultural preservation and unity. The monumental Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof, with its unique blend of historic and modern architecture, provides the perfect setting for this exhibition. The museum will host a side program with artist talks and school activities.


Jimmy Nelson (Sevenoaks, England, 1967) lived in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East during his youth. Since 1993, he has continuously lived in Amsterdam, where the Jimmy Nelson Studio & Gallery is located. The artist has been photographing for forty years and exhibiting worldwide in prominent museums and galleries. His autonomous work has also been presented at art and photography fairs such as PAN Amsterdam, Photo London, Paris Photo, and TEFAF Maastricht.