We all remember him in the Netherlands.
He was brutally Assassinated: May 6, 2002.
I was asked to photograph Pim Fortuyn at his home ‘Pallazo di Pietro’ as a clown and narcissist. You see, in Holland they don’t like it when someone rises above the ground level.
My basis was and is always is to respect people as they are and at the same time create a photo that would generate a stir.
The latter was certainly achieved with this photo by Pim Fortuyn then on the cover of major magazines. I felt we made art that day.
Especially now, more than 22 years after his tragic death these photos, especially those with his closed eyes hits hard. Yes, may go a bit far in terms of drama.
But I’m sure Pim Fortuyn would have liked it that way.
The glory of a Roman death mask.
Still, the other image with his eyes wide open, show a young, open minded and ambitious person. He had is goals set to politics and was very close to winning the elections, witch he eventually did even after they killed him with a pistol.
Pim Fortuyn was shot in the head by an extreme left wing criminal on may 6th 2002.
He drove a big Jaguar XJ. That gave him status and pleasure. Above all, however, it was extraordinary that he had made a marble bust of himself.
Rest in Peace.
