The Dutch photographer and culinary journalist Philip Mechanicus (1936-2005) was principally known for his portraits of writers, but also for his still-lives and photographs of the city where he had been born, Amsterdam.
Mechanicus, originally a graphic designer, established himself as an independent photographer in 1959. He began with his portraits of writers toward the end of the 1970s, for the cultural supplement of the NRC Handelsblad, with the thought that it was better to photograph people who were famous than unknowns. Already in 1981 this work was to be seen in a presentation in the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam which also collected the photographer’s work.
This publication containing more than 200 photos and accompanying texts celebrates 50 years in the photographers life and brings together his 'last selection' which he personally made shortly before his death.