Dolf Kruger
photographer
Dolf Kruger (1923–2015) was a prominent Dutch photographer known for his socially engaged photojournalism. Born in Switzerland and moving to the Netherlands, he began studying photography as an autodidact in the mid-1940s. He worked extensively as a freelance photojournalist, notably with the communist newspaper 'De Waarheid' from 1951 to 1960, where he documented social issues such as mining strikes in the Borinage. His work is characterized by a humanistic focus on reconstruction, industrial life, and social involvement. In 1961, he was awarded the Zilveren Camera for his documentation of these strikes. Later in his career, he balanced freelance commercial photography with artistic projects, including collaborations with Willem Sandberg at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and travel photography across Europe. He spent his final years living in Sweden.[1,2]
- social engagement
- industrial photography
- post-war reconstruction
- photojournalism
Books
Works by Dolf Kruger
- 1987 Dolf Kruger fotografie 1948-1984 Monograph of his photography from 1948 to 1984.
- 1988 Eens Zuiderzee Awarded the Zuiderzeeprijs.
- 1967 Kijkwijzer Griekenland Travel photography.
- 1968 Kijkwijzer Spanje Travel photography.
- 1968 Kijkwijzer Joegoslavië Travel photography.
Exhibitions
- 1987 Overzichtstentoonstelling Dolf Kruger
- 1989 Dutch Photography 1945-1960
- 2003 Wandobjecten en foto's van Dolf en Suze Kruger-Henriët
Awards
- 1961 Zilveren Camera
- 1960 Gouden medaille voor Borinage-foto's
- 1988 Zuiderzeeprijs