Photograph by Bernard F. Eilers, 'Ann Suter', made using the 'Foto-chroma Eilers' technique [colour separation technique], c.1935

Colour photograph depicting a profile portrait of a female in front of a red background. She wears her hair gathered at the nape of her neck, pearl earrings and a navy sleeveless dress.

Given by Joan Luckhurst Eilers

Bernard F. Eilers (1878-1951) was one of the leading Dutch photographers in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Along with Henri Berssenbrugge and Berend Zweers, Eilers was part of the second generation of Dutch pictorialists and his fine art prints were widely exhibited in the Netherlands during his lifetime. In 1911 he launched his business as a portrait and reproduction photographer. He was one of the Netherlands' first commercial photographers, undertaking commissions for numerous clients including the Philips Company and Amsterdam-based architects and furniture makers. Around 1935, he created the photographic colour separation technique Foto-chroma Eilers, successfully producing prints of great intensity and depth of colour.

Of the photograph, Joan Luckhurst states, 'The young lady with a red background is not my Aunt Kiek, but Ann Suter (I'm not certain of the spelling ...) one of Eilers studio assistants, whom Anneke interviewed in her 90s over 10 years ago. ... It is possible that Eilers dictated the hairstyle, as there are profile photos of my Aunt and my Grandmother with hair fashioned in the same manner.'

Bernard F. Eilers (1878-1951) was one of the leading Dutch photographers in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Along with Henri Berssenbrugge and Berend Zweers, Eilers was part of the second generation of Dutch pictorialists and his fine art prints were widely exhibited in the Netherlands during his lifetime. In 1911 he launched his business as a portrait and reproduction photographer. He was one of the Netherlands’ first commercial photographers, undertaking commissions for numerous clients including the Philips Company and Amsterdam-based architects and furniture makers. Around 1935, he created the photographic colour separation technique Foto-chroma Eilers, successfully producing prints of great intensity and depth of colour.

Eilers works are held in numerous collections in the Netherlands, including the Leiden University Special Collections and Amsterdam City Archives.

E.336-2015