Algemeen Handelsblad, 10 mei 1940 Possibly 1940 - 1945

This is the Algemeen Handelsblad newspaper from May 10, 1940; a broadsheet of newsprint reporting on the German invasion of the Netherlands. Look at the density of the text, the heavy weight of the words, especially in that headline – ‘Netherlands at war with Germany.’ The photo of Queen Wilhelmina in the center has a different feel, almost dreamlike. The photograph is softer, a contrast to the stark declaration. The crown seems to weigh her down, but there is also something uplifting, resolute in her expression. Think about the physical nature of the paper, thin and fragile, yet carrying such weighty news. The ephemeral nature of a newspaper contrasts with the gravity of its content. A paper meant to be discarded after reading becomes a historical artifact, a testament to a moment of crisis and resilience. This newspaper is a reminder that even the most seemingly insignificant objects can hold profound stories. Art helps us understand the texture of the past.