A museum must continually examine and question its collection, and this certainly applies to the Nederlands Fotomuseum with its collection of over six million images. Fortunately, we can rely on researchers and artists to bring our rich collection into the present with their unique perspectives.

Andrea Stultiens is one such artist-researcher, who has studied the legacy of Paul Julien (1901-2001) for years. Julien, known for his travels to equatorial Africa between 1932 and 1962, created extensive photo and film reports now housed in the Nederlands Fotomuseum and the Eye Film Museum. While extraordinary in variety and quality, his work is also problematic due to its colonial perspectives and controversial methods.

Since 2012, Stultiens has been re-examining Julien’s archive through her project Reframing PJU. She seeks to understand the value and impact of these photographs on the descendants of those portrayed and to explore what the Netherlands can learn about its views on Africa. By showing Julien’s work in its original contexts and connecting it to storytelling traditions, Stultiens adds deeper meaning to the images.

Stultiens shares her findings through social media and this publication, which accompanies the eponymous exhibition (May-September 2024) at the Nederlands Fotomuseum. Her work contributes to the decolonisation debate by offering a nuanced look at Paul Julien’s legacy. The museum is pleased to share how her initiative has enriched our collection with numerous perspectives.