Reportages in licht en schaduw

Reportages in licht en schaduw (1947) is a significant work in Dutch photography, recognized as the first pure monographic photo book published in the Netherlands. The volume features an impressive collection of black-and-white photographs by surrealist artist Emiel van Moerkerken, showcasing his unique aesthetic which blends documentary observation with surrealist imagination. The content is organized into four distinct themes: portraits of notable Dutch writers and artists (including his hero Brassaï), studies of young women, still lifes, and street scenes or landscapes. The book includes an introduction by the writer Simon Carmiggelt. It serves as a definitive retrospective of Van Moerkerken's early career, capturing his transition from surrealist fantasy to more documentary-influenced styles.