Ophaalbrug 1939 - 1940

This captivating photograph, Ophaalbrug, captures a drawbridge and was made by an anonymous artist. The palette is restrained, almost monochromatic, and allows the composition and subject to take center stage. It reminds me that art-making is, at its heart, a process of observation, of freezing a moment in time. The texture created by the tones of gray and the shadows gives a palpable sense of depth. Look at the bridge's reflection in the water, fragmented and distorted, as if the solid structure is melting back into the fluid, ever-changing world. Notice how the photographer has framed the bridge against the sky, emphasizing its imposing scale. This picture reminds me of the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, who obsessively documented industrial structures. It's a testament to the way artists build upon each other’s visions, participating in an ongoing conversation across decades, exploring and embracing the ambiguity of the world around us.