Treasures from the Hofmeester collection. Three hundred and seventy photographs: each intriguing treasures from a valuable archive.

Bart Hofmeester (1921-2001) was a pioneer in commercial aerial photography. From the early fitties, he took to the air as much as possible, For several decades, he departed from Zestienhoven airport to photograph The Netherlands from above. He was well-known by editors of books, newspapers and magazines. Hofmeester saw The Netherlands evolve through the lens of his camera. The Flevopolder, the Deltaworks, bridges, roads, new residential areas. But his favourite topic was Rijnmond and the reconstruction of the destroyed heart of Rotterdam. The city bustled wih life. He saw it all from the clouds: Maashaven, Rijnhaven, the enormous growth of Europoort, the construction of the subway.

Hofmeester realized that his work would become of historical importance. He took care of his archive, which includes an estimated two million photographs. This incredible archive was purchased by the photo agency of Roel Dijkstra and is now being published fort he first time. This book contains only a part of the enormous archive. The photographs, made between 1950 and 1990, are printed in a large format to show their value. Rotterdam, from Hook of Holland and the Maasvlakte to Bolnes. It is a nostalgic birds eye view through the years. Never before have so many areas in Rotterdam been explored from the air and published in a book. Much is still recognisable, but at the same time you realise how much has changed in half a century. 

Treasures from the Hofmeester collection. Three hundred and seventy photographs: each intriguing treasures from a valuable archive.

Bart Hofmeester (1921-2001) was a pioneer in commercial aerial photography. From the early fitties, he took to the air as much as possible, For several decades, he departed from Zestienhoven airport to photograph The Netherlands from above. He was well-known by editors of books, newspapers and magazines. Hofmeester saw The Netherlands evolve through the lens of his camera. The Flevopolder, the Deltaworks, bridges, roads, new residential areas. But his favourite topic was Rijnmond and the reconstruction of the destroyed heart of Rotterdam. The city bustled wih life. He saw it all from the clouds: Maashaven, Rijnhaven, the enormous growth of Europoort, the construction of the subway.

Hofmeester realized that his work would become of historical importance. He took care of his archive, which includes an estimated two million photographs. This incredible archive was purchased by the photo agency of Roel Dijkstra and is now being published fort he first time. This book contains only a part of the enormous archive. The photographs, made between 1950 and 1990, are printed in a large format to show their value. Rotterdam, from Hook of Holland and the Maasvlakte to Bolnes. It is a nostalgic birds eye view through the years. Never before have so many areas in Rotterdam been explored from the air and published in a book. Much is still recognisable, but at the same time you realise how much has changed in half a century.