Photograph by Frank van Beek
On March 13, His Majesty the King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of The Netherlands presented Erwin Olaf with the Medal of Honor for Art and Science from the House Order of Orange at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. The award is presented to individuals with exceptional merits in the fields of art and science.
Olaf has worked with the Royal Family on several occasions. He has made portraits of King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and their daughters since 2011. In 2013, Olaf's designed portrait of the king were selected for the new Dutch Euro coin.
Olaf was appointed knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2019. He received this royal award for his “leading photography and his commitment to the LGBTIQ + community”.
13 March 2023
