The Europeans is a portrait of modern Europe. Traveling from region to region and from theme to theme in this multi-year project, photographer Rob Hornstra and writer and filmmaker Arnold van Bruggen will create a 21st century time piece on the European Heartland. Hornstra and van Bruggen see Europe on the eve of drastic change. Populism and authoritarianism are on the rise, ghosts from the past seem to return.

The photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson published his book ‘Les Européens’ in 1955. He looked beyond nationalism or local customs in the individual countries. He sought evidence for a greater identity, a European parable shared by the people and the landscape. More than sixty years later, Hornstra and van Bruggen share this ambition. It’s time to come up with a new version of The Europeans.

“They have just started and it will probably take years, but the result will undoubtedly compete with the classic The Americans, in which Robert Frank painted a portrait of post-war America in 1958.”
—Het Parool, 2019

This Special Edition is available in four variants. Each variant comes with a different photograph in the size of the publication. The same photograph is also displayed on the front of the cover. You don’t have to choose now. After you have purchased the Special Edition, we will contact you about your preferred version.

Specs

Publisher: The Europeans
Design: Kummer & Herrman
Hardcover: 112 pp
Dimensions: 175 x 219 mm (6.9 x 8.6 in.)
Print size: 170 x 210 mm (6.7 x 8.4 in.)
Language: English / Dutch
Print run: 120 copies (numbered)
Price: € 120.00

‘Chapter 3: The Naval Base’ is produced in collaboration with Mondriaan Fonds and European Cultural Foundation.

Launch of the publication is on 27 October 2021 in Het Pompgemaal in Den Helder.