Oorlogsschade in Rotterdam Possibly 1940 - 1945

These two black and white photographs, of damage from the war in Rotterdam, have been glued to the page of an album by an anonymous photographer. I can imagine the photographer standing among the rubble, looking at what was left, and trying to make sense of it all through the lens. What was it like for them, holding their camera and finding the right angle? Did they feel a responsibility to document this destruction? I'm struck by the contrast between the stillness of the scene and the violence that must have occurred. The buildings are just empty shells, their windows like dark eyes staring out at nothing. But there's also a strange kind of beauty in the ruin, a reminder of the power of time and the resilience of nature. Photography, like painting, captures a specific moment in time. It creates an opportunity for reflection and interpretation, prompting ongoing dialogue through images.