“SOFT AND LANGUROUS AND AT TIMES… INNOCENTLY EROTIC”: VAN MEENE’S PORTRAITS, WITH 44 FULL-COLOR PLATES

VAN MEENE, Hellen. Portraits. (New York): Aperture, (2004). Square quarto, original tan cloth and white paper boards, mounted color plate. $250.

First trade edition of van Meene’s highly praised photobook, with 44 color plates offering her haunting and evocative view of adolescence.

“Hellen van Meene is one of a handful of Dutch photographers who… [share] an international vogue for their portrait work.” Her signature style is realized through the choreography of an “intimately composed portrait shot—most often of pubescent girls, soft and languorous and at times… innocently erotic” (New York Times). In the 44 full-color plates of Portraits, van Meene reveals “young girls on the cusp of adolescence… Her subjects not only fail to deny, but sometimes flaunt, their burgeoning sexuality” (Parr & Badger II:84). With essay by Kate Bush. As issued without dust jacket. Published same year as signed limited edition (75 copies).

A fine copy.