Ruïnes van Plan C, gezien vanaf het water, te Rotterdam c. 1940 - 1945

This silver gelatin print made by J. Nolte captures the ruins of Plan C as seen from the water in Rotterdam. Imagine Nolte, the photographer, setting up their camera to capture this scene. It feels like they wanted to show us the aftermath and how destruction marks the landscape. The water looks still and reflective, almost like a mirror, contrasting with the jagged edges of the ruined buildings, each a testament to what was lost. Did he want us to notice the bridge, half standing and half falling, a symbol of resilience and fragility? You know, photography is often about bearing witness, and maybe Nolte was compelled to document not just the destruction, but also the quiet dignity that remains even in the face of devastation. It reminds me of some of the war photography of the period, the way artists tried to make sense of chaos. It’s a reminder that artists are always responding to the world around them, trying to make sense of things.