Staande militairen 1940 - 1943

This photo of two stern-looking soldiers, location and date unknown, comes to us anonymously. It’s a simple image, black and white with a narrow range of grays, but look at the way their uniforms absorb light, becoming almost velvety, especially the one on the left. I love the stark contrast between the men and the doorway they stand in front of. The doorway gives a sense of depth, of something beyond, while the soldiers plant themselves on the threshold. Their presence is resolute; the photo feels less about capturing a moment and more about documenting a state of being. It reminds me of August Sander, the German portrait photographer. He sought to document the German people during the Weimar Republic, categorizing them by profession and social class. Like this photo, Sanders' images are often direct and unadorned, but convey a quiet intensity. Both artists invite us to consider the individual within the context of a larger social structure.