FONDS
The collection of fonds includes some 40 archives, fonds and large ensembles from Belgian photographers and companies dating from the 19th century to the present day. This collection took shape by means of donations, long-tearm loans and acquisitions. All in all, these photographic and paper archives comprise almost 3 million items. In terms of size, this makes it the largest of FOMU’s subcollections.
The collection provides an adequate survey of photographic practices in Belgium, as it includes fonds from both professional and amateur photographers. Among the most extensive of these fonds are the photo archives of Belgian photographer Herman Selleslags and his father Rik Selleslags, which the FOMU received on permanent loan in 2015.
Examples of other fonds are those of Willy Kessels, Patrick De Spiegelaere, Gerald Dauphin, Gilbert d’Haen, Marc Turfkruyer, Suzy Embo, Frank Philippi, Le Lynx, Pater Longinus De Munter, Paule Pia, and Filip Tas.
In 2017 FOMU received the historical Agfa-Gevaert collection: a unique piece of industrial heritage that has played a major role on the world stage of the analogue photo industry. Due to the archive’s enormous size and diversity, FOMU chose a piece-by-piece approach to making the archive accessible. The Gevaert Paper Project began in 2020, focusing on photo papers, photo packaging, and documentation.
Filip J. Tas, Self-portrait with rolleiflex in a convex mirror, circa 1960-1965, Collection FOMU © Filip J. Tas/SABAM
Herman Selleslags, Tom Waits, Brussels, 1968, Collection FOMU, © Herman Selleslags/SOFAM
Photo collage of the Gevaert factory used for an advertisement in Gevaert Photo-Service, Collection FOMU © Agfa-Gevaert
Suzy Embo, Jam Sessions, La Bosse, 1969, Collection FOMU, P/1996/14, © Suzy Embo/FOMU
Willy Kessels, publicité par photo, Willy Kessels, 1929, Collection FOMU, P/2013/62, © Willy Kessels/SOFAM
Patrick De Spiegelaere, Night vigil of scouts at the Royal Palace in Brussels after the death of King Baudouin, who died on July 31, 1993, Collection FOMU, P/2005/16/10, © Patrick De Spiegelaere/SOFAM
Gilbert d'Haen, Fashion photo, 1965, Collection FOMU, P/2012/590/232, © Gilbert d'Haen
Frank Philippi, Louis Armstrong in the backstage of the Ancienne Belgique in Antwerp, Collection FOMU, P/2011/183, © Frank Philippi/SABAM
Longinus De Munter, Resignation to the hard fate, Collection FOMU, P/1990/93, © Longinus De Munter
Poster from 1958 for Gevacolor (Photoproducten Gevaert N.V., Antwerp-Mortsel), 1958, Collection FOMU, P/2012/316
Rik Selleslags, Survivors from the "Titanic", Collection FOMU, 2018/45/144/3, © Rik Selleslags
Filip J. Tas, Crossroad with bollards, road signs, Collection FOMU, P/1976/9/4, © Filip J. Tas / SABAM
Frank Philippi, Fashion shoot on location with a model (female), Brussels, 1963, Collection FOMU, P/2012/285, © Frank Philippi / SABAM
Herman Selleslags, Julien Schoenaerts, 1981, Collection FOMU, P/1988/152, © Herman Selleslags
Frank Philippi, Studio portret of Jef Verheyen, Paul Ibou, Ivo Michiels and Frank Philippi, Brussels, 1972, Collection FOMU, P/1981/159, © Frank Philippi
Package for photographic paper “Gevaert 500 Postcards Vigorous, s.d., Collection FOMU, 1/GEV/16/44
The 'Fotokontrool' department responsible for the inspection of the manufactured photo paper, 1927, Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Historical Archive Agfa-Gevaert, D560B, Collection FOMU
Frank Philippi, Visitors with cameras at the 1958 World's Fair, Heizel, Brussels, 1958, Collection FOMU, P/2012/149/1 © Frank Philippi
Willy Kessels, Fotogram, 1932, Collection FOMU, P/2013/75, © Willy Kessels / SOFAM
Herman Selleslags, Selfie, New York, Times Square, 1971, Collection FOMU © Herman Selleslags
Gevacolor school in Mortsel, around 1965, Historical collection Agfa-Gevaert, D144 C D, Collection FOMU
Neonsign Gevacolor, 1960-1964, Collection FOMU, 2022/2, ©Gevaert
Frank Philippi, Traction-Avant, Austria, 1953, Collection FOMU, P/2012/165, © Frank Philippi
Suzy Embo, Dotremont with a cigarette in his nose, 1973, Collection FOMU, P/1996/16/34, © Suzy Embo/FOMU
Presentation of the first papermaking in 1894 in Antwerp by Lieven Gevaert , together with his mother and aunt, Collection FOMU Historical collection Agfa-Gevaert, 001-GEV (D049)
Paule Pia, Budapest, a girl in love, 1984, Collection FOMU, P/1984/176/11, © Paule Pia
Historical Collection Agfa-Gevaert, Advertisement Gevaert photographic paper, Collection FOMU, 001-GEV_14_7
