Carel Adolph Lion Cachet - Jacob Merkelbach, Afb 010164033193

Jacob Merkelbach was a Dutch photographer born on 2 April 1877 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is best known for his portraits of prominent Dutch personalities of the early 20th century, including artists, writers, politicians and members of the royal family. Merkelbach began his career as a photographer in 1895 when he opened his own studio in Amsterdam. He quickly gained recognition for his distinctive style and ability to capture the essence of his subjects. His portraits were characterised by their simplicity, elegance and attention to detail. Throughout his career, Merkelbach photographed many influential people, including Vincent van Gogh's brother Theo van Gogh, the writer Louis Couperus and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. His work was highly regarded and exhibited in various galleries and museums. In addition to portrait photography, Merkelbach experimented with other genres such as landscape and street photography. He was known for his use of natural light and his ability to create atmospheric images. Jacob Merkelbach continued to work as a photographer until his death in Amsterdam on 28 July 1942. His photographs are now considered important historical documents and continue to be celebrated for their artistic and cultural significance.