This extensive overview is an homage to all the photographers, artists, writers, designers, printers, paper importers and publishers, as well as the museums, associations, and commercial clients and their organizations that shaped Dutch photo publications between 1912 and 1980. Across more than 500 pages, through a series of texts and more than 1,000 reproductions, the work and vision of Hendrikus Theodorus Wijdeveld, Piet Zwart, Jan Kamman, Paul Schuitema, Dick Elffers, Nico de Haas, Emmy Andriesse, Cas Oorthuys, Martien Coppens, Ed van der Elsken, Jurriaan Schrofer, Dirk Meijer and Joop Swart-among dozens of others-is explored in detail. Highlighting the most important individual contributions they made to their trade and craft, the book also demonstrates their collaborative efforts for excellence. The publications documented here rank among the most creative and influential in the global fields of photography and the graphic arts.

The photograph is the new eye of our age: it is sober, unsentimental and neutral; it draws with speed and precision; it is objective and does not lie... - Paul Schuitem