A chance encounter with a marble post at a stonemasonry in Nijmegen in the 1980s sparked a lifelong fascination. Photographer Hans Bol was captivated by the colour, texture and history of marble. His journey led him to Carrara, Italy, where he discovered the world of marble quarrying and craftsmanship. Since then, he has returned regularly to the region, which continues to be a lasting source of inspiration.

The exhibition SKIN – SLITS | CUTS | RELICS explores the tension between beauty and destruction. Marble is a material that allows for sculptural perfection, yet its extraction leaves deep scars in the landscape. Bol investigates this duality through a poetic visual narrative that reveals the ecological and cultural impact of the marble industry.

Two new photobooks accompany the exhibition and are thematically linked:

• SLITS | CUTS | RELICS presents the result of forty years of visual research in Carrara: from wonder to devastation, with the ‘negative architecture’ of the marble quarries taking centre stage.

• SKIN reflects on the human presence in stone. Carrara marble, with its minimal imperfections, has been used for centuries to depict human skin as realistically as possible.

The exhibition combines analogue and digital photography with artisanal printing techniques. Many images come from Bol’s extensive archive and are being printed and shown for the first time. The exhibition offers a unique insight into a body of work developed over four decades.

About the Artist

Hans Bol (1957) lives and works in Ooij, near Nijmegen. His work is characterised by tranquil, analogue images and a deep connection to the landscape. He uses traditional techniques such as platinum-palladium printing and photo-etching. In addition to his autonomous work, he was the long-time master printer for the Nederlands Fotomuseum. His work is held in collections including the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Museum Beelden aan Zee, Nederlands Fotomuseum and FOMU Antwerpen.