Ruïne van gebouw te Rotterdam c. 1940 - 1945

This photograph, 'Ruïne van gebouw te Rotterdam' by J. Nolte, captures a scene of destruction. The monochrome palette lends a stark feel to the image of a ruined building in Rotterdam. The texture of the rubble and the rough edges of the remaining structure become almost palpable through the photographic process. Look at the way the arches of the building are now empty frames, each one offering a glimpse into the void left behind. The tones are so subtle that it is difficult to identify the type of materials the building was made of, but the detail allows us to imagine running our hands along those broken surfaces. It reminds me a little of the work of the Bechers, if they were not so concerned with cataloguing, but instead with capturing the emotions evoked by the urban landscape. The photo doesn't tell us everything. It allows a space for ambiguity, a space for us to bring our own experiences to the ruins.