Ruïnes aan de Rederijstraat te Rotterdam c. 1940 - 1945

This photograph, taken by J. Nolte, captures the ruins on Rederijstraat in Rotterdam. Looking at the leveled buildings, I wonder about Nolte’s process, the act of composing the scene, and the weight of each decision. The monochrome hues evoke a particular mood. What was Nolte thinking while framing the image? What did it feel like to stand there amidst the wreckage? The leveled buildings stretch out like skeletal remains, casting long shadows that seem to whisper stories of loss and resilience. There’s a stillness in the scene, a frozen moment that speaks volumes about the transience of life and the enduring power of memory. Like other painters, Nolte captures a moment in time. He embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations and meaning over fixed readings.