New Realities – Photography in the 19th Century

Presenting a selection of more than 300 photographs from the large and important collection of the Rijksmuseum, New Realities provides an impressive overview of the international development of photography. Major highlights include the earliest travel photos, motion studies by Eadweard Muybridge, advertising photography, portraiture, scenes of everyday life, the earliest photograph taken in Suriname and amazing shots that were made by microscopes and telescopes.

The invention of photography in 1839 led to a revolution in visual culture: photography both portrayed and created the modern world. For the first time, it was possible to depict and unlock every facet of that world. Photography secured a position in every field: in science, the arts, daily life and news reportage. New Realities conveys the dizzying breadth of its impact across cultures and disciplines.