Among Friends: Jan Schoonhoven and Lothar Wolleh

Photos: Lothar Wolleh, © Lothar Wolleh Estate, Berlin

From the Archives of the Lothar Wolleh Estate, Berlin

In autumn 1969, German photographer Lothar Wolleh visited Jan Schoonhoven in his hometown Delft. A visit that marked the start of an intensive artistic exchange.

There was a deeply felt connection between Jan Schoonhoven and Lothar Wolleh (Berlin, 1930–London, 1979). The two artists shared a deep interest in history and art and Schoonhoven loved to speak German.

Lothar Wolleh portrayed Schoonhoven on several occasions, and many of his portraits have now gained an iconic status. However, it was less known that Wolleh also photographed dozens of Jan Schoonhoven's reliefs; photos with a strong emphasis on the effect of light.

During several sessions at galleries, musea and the Schoonhoven's residence, but also in the open air in Delft, Lothar Wolleh photographed over 75 reliefs. These photos are of great value for art historical research, but they also bring us closer to what connected these two artists. In their search for a new imagery, Schoonhoven and Wolleh shared a deep-rooted fascination with the imaging properties of light.

See also: website Lothar Wolleh Raum, Berlin