Alkmaar in Pictures
December 10, 2025-29 March 2026
From December 10, 2025, Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar will display the exhibition Alkmaar in Pictures - through the lens of then and now. Iconic black-and-white photographs by renowned photographers Maria Austria, Eva Besnyö, Henk Jonker and Ad Windig from the 1950s are shown again in it for the first time since their creation.
In addition, the museum presents new work by contemporary photographer Jonne Lucia. who was inspired by her predecessors and captured the Alkmaar of today. The result is an extraordinary visual encounter between past and present.
The city in the 1950s
In 1954, Alkmaar celebrated its 700th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a group of young, talented photographers were commissioned to record the city. Among them were Maria Austria, Eva Besnyö, Henk Jonker and Ad Windig. They recorded not only the festivities, but also daily life, people and changes in the city. The result: hundreds of black-and-white photographs showing Alkmaar in all seasons and moods. After publication in a photo book, many of these images disappeared into the archives. With Alkmaar in Pictures we reintroduce residents and visitors to these extraordinary photographs.
A dialogue between generations
As in the original book of photographs, the images in the exhibition are divided into themes of work, children, street life, parties and markets. Inspired by these themes and the work of her predecessors, she shows Jonne Lucia see what has changed in the city - and what has remained the same. The confrontation between the photographs of the past and the images of today provides a fascinating look at Alkmaar.
De Jonge Lichting: Alkmaar through the eyes of young people
The museum's youth department, De Jonge Lichting, was given a special assignment: they are calling on Alkmaar residents to be inspired by the exhibition and submit their own photos of the city. The images submitted will be curated by De Jonge Lichting and integrated into the exhibition in a contemporary way. In this way Alkmaar in Pictures a dynamic, growing component in which various generations add their own perspectives to the city's story.
Collaboration
Alkmaar in Pictures was created in collaboration with the Alkmaar Regional Archives and the Maria Austria Institute, custodian of the work of leading postwar photographers.
Practical information
The exhibition is on view at Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar through March 29, 2026.
Exhibition: Alkmaar in Pictures - through the lens of then and now
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, Canadaplein 1
Dates: December 10, 2025 to March 29, 2026
Free walk-in tours
There are free walk-in tours of the exhibition Alkmaar in Pictures. These are every Sunday through March 29 at 2 p.m. The maximum number of people is 15. Registration is not necessary, but be on time, because full is full.
This exhibition is made possible thanks to the support of:
