Watersnoodramp 1953 1952

Oswald Wenckebach made this commemorative medal titled Watersnoodramp 1953, around 1955. It’s a small bronze disc, so you could hold it in your hand, feeling its weight. The image shows a figure waist-deep in water, arms raised in what could be either despair or triumph. What gets me is the surface; it's dark and smooth, like a stone worn down by water. Look closely, and you'll see how the artist has used subtle gradations of relief to create depth and movement. The ripples of the water are almost palpable, and the figure seems to emerge from the surface. It reminds me of the work of Käthe Kollwitz, another German artist who wasn’t afraid to tackle difficult subjects. Both artists understood that art could be a powerful tool for social change. I like how this piece invites contemplation, acknowledging both loss and the resilience of the human spirit.