Photo exhibition: Unseen Beatles

Pictures by Robert Whitaker in 5&33 Gallery in art’otel amsterdam

Amsterdam, 4 January 2019 – In 2019 it has been exactly 55 years that The Beatles visited Amsterdam. On the occasion of this anniversary the exhibition ‘Unseen Beatles’ will be on view in the 5&33 Gallery in art’otel amsterdam. Because the collection is for sale, it might be the last chance to admire these pictures.

This series of exclusive photographs of this legendary foursome, part of one of the largest private collections of The Beatles pictures, was made by Robert Whitaker between 1964 and 1966. This British pop photographer travelled for two years with the ‘Fab Four’ and was their private photographer during this time.

The year 1964 was not only the year of the famous boat tour through the canals in Amsterdam and the performance in the small Dutch town Blokker, it was also the year that pop photographer Robert Whitaker joined the group. For two years he followed them across the world and was thus able to take unique pictures, on and off stage: of historical performances, on the road from one gig to another and unique pictures of the Fab Four in their spare time.

Whitaker was able to create exclusive portraits, for instance of John Lennon, his first wife Cynthia Powell and their son Julian as a toddler. In addition, he took a lot of portraits of the group in his own studio on Kings Road, London. Moreover, he was responsible for publicity material, like the famous ‘Butcher cover’ for the album ‘Yesterday and Today’.

Hundred pictures
Ivo de Lange, owner of the collection, knew Whitaker, who passed away in 2011, personally. De Lange owns over one hundred pictures, piece by piece signed by the photographer. One of the highlights is a photograph in which The Beatles can be seen breaking styrofoam boards. The picture is framed with this same styrofoam in which the four musicians put out their cigarette butts. These unique marks can still be seen. Other striking photographs are, amongst others, ‘The Butcher’ and ‘All British Boy’, John Lennon with a British flag painted on his face.

Willem Verhoeven, general manager of the art’otel and 5&33 gallery is very enthusiastic about the Unseen Beatles exhibition. “It is a unique collection on a unique location. Exactly 55 years after their one and only visit to Amsterdam, The Beatles return to the city through these very special images.”

Last opportunity
Since the collection is for sale, it is probably the last opportunity to see the Unseen Beatles. It hurts De Lange to see them go. “It is a special, historical recording of one of the most well-known and influential pop groups in the world. Whitaker’s work shows a very varied side of John, Paul, George and Ringo. He was the only photographer who was allowed to be this close to The Beatles, which gave him the chance to create exclusive, personal pictures. Regrettably he has never done anything special with them. He therefore missed out on becoming famous.”

When The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, the collaboration with Whitaker was cancelled. In the following years, Whitaker took pictures of other artists and singers, such as Salvador Dalí and Mick Jagger. Later he worked as a war photographer in Vietnam and Cambodia. In the seventies he retired from photography and became a farmer in Sussex, England.

Invitation opening exhibition
The festive opening of the exhibition is on 24 January 2019. The pictures can be seen in the 5&33 Gallery in art’otel amsterdam for six weeks.  During the preview Robert Whitaker’s son Ben, and owner and art expert Ivo de Lange will be available for interviews about this unique collection and its creator.

Update:  The opening to the Exhibition at the 5&33 Gallery in art’otel Amsterdam was a big Sucess last night with over 200 people visiting.  The exhibition has been recieving alot of Media attention with pieces on TV station RTL Bolouvard, National newspapers De Telegraaf, and talk radio shows amoungst other sources.

Links to News Articles about the show:

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VÍDEO: https://youtu.be/NVhV–_xkHo