A series of colour photographic portraits of Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) assistant to Sinta Klaus (Saint Nicholas) in the Dutch Christmas story.
In mid November Sinta Klaus arrives by boat in every major Dutch city accompanied by 100’s of Zwarte Piets (originally mainly white women and children, blacked-up) who alternate between dancing clowns and menacing baton wielders. The story originates from 16th century when Spain occupied the territory and had Moorish servants/slaves who would have served Sinta Klaas.

This is a controversial tradition that few people from outside the region know about – these portraits announce Zwarte Piet in a deliberately formal manner using the style of Renaissance portraiture. The work was produced with support from Autograph in the UK. The essay by Mieke Bal in the publication explores the history of Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands and is exhibited alongside the photographs to ensure the work is contextualised. Two new series of Zwarte Piet: Smudged and Undressed will be released in the next 12 months.

Published by Black Dog, essay by Mieke Bal, 1999
ISBN: 1 901 03386