Duitse militairen 1940 - 1947

Editor: This is "Duitse militairen," or "German Soldiers," a gelatin silver print taken between 1940 and 1947, now held at the Rijksmuseum. What strikes me immediately is the contrast – images of men together set within a landscape during such a turbulent time. It feels almost unsettlingly peaceful. What do you make of it? Curator: Peaceful, perhaps deceptively so. To me, it’s a chilling glimpse into the everyday life of soldiers during wartime. These aren't action shots, there's no direct violence. Instead, we have snapshots of mundane activities: eating, gathering. The banality is the point, maybe. Photojournalism often has that raw edge. I keep thinking, who took these pictures, and why? Were they personal mementos, or part of some propaganda effort? And, crucially, what was life like for the people living on this land at the time? Editor: That makes me think about the ethics of viewing images like these. Is there a risk of aestheticizing a dark period in history when focusing solely on composition or the technical aspects? Curator: Absolutely, there’s always that risk. We have to be cautious about celebrating "good" photography without acknowledging the context, the human cost, the moral implications. Consider the contrast, the use of light. A great artist like Alfred Stieglitz who would argue about pure aesthetics - where do we account for that in our minds versus being morally concerned. It's tricky. Does seeing their everyday lives make these soldiers more human, or does it normalize their presence, almost justifying their actions? These are important questions we should keep asking ourselves. Editor: It's a powerful reminder that art isn't just about what we see, but how we see it, especially when looking at historical works like this one. Thanks for the insight. Curator: Indeed! And for keeping me honest. These conversations are vital; the best art always sparks more questions than answers.