An exhibition Dutch Masters of Light, Capturing Light and Shade is at the Customs House in Sydney, with contemporary artist re-interpretations of the famous Dutch light through portraits and landscapes. It is part of a series of events in 2016 marking the 400th anniversary of the first Dutch contact with Western Australia.

Sydney Customs House: 17 March - 29 May 2016 The Consulate General of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Sydney is proud to present Dutch Masters of Light, an exhibition which brings the famous Dutch light to life through contemporary portraits and landscapes. Inspired by the great Renaissance tradition of manipulating light and shade, Dutch Masters of Light reinterprets the style of celebrated Dutch artists including Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer in a striking series of portraits by contemporary photographers, Hendrik Kerstens and Erwin Olaf. As a counterpoint, the extraordinary luminous quality of Dutch light in the landscape is explored in Hollands licht, a film by Pieter-Rim de Kroon and Maarten de Kroon. In each work, the play of light and shade creates dialogues which immerse viewers in compelling relationships and challenge their emotions. This exhibition is part of a series of events which mark the 400th anniversary of the first Dutch contact with Western Australia. On 25 October 1616, Dirk Hartog made landfall with his ship the Eendracht at Dirk Hartog Island, in the Shark Bay area. Image: Bag by Hendrik Kerstens, on display in the exhibition