Dorpsgezichten en behuizing 1940 - 1944

This unassuming album page from an unknown photographer contains six small gelatin silver prints, likely from the early twentieth century. It’s the kind of collection that feels deeply personal yet also universal. I’m drawn to the tangible quality of these prints. The blacks and whites are so rich and tactile. Imagine the photographer carefully placing each print onto the page, securing them with those charming corner tabs. Each image feels like a small window, offering a glimpse into a world that once was. The bottom left image intrigues me most, with soldiers in front of small wooden building, one standing on the roof, as if guarding from above! You almost can't believe your eyes, but there he is. This picture is speaking of vigilance, even though it's impossible to say why. This compilation reminds me of the work of Gerhard Richter, who also collected found photos for his Atlas project. It seems to say that art is as much about collecting and curating as it is about creating from scratch. It’s about embracing the ambiguity and openness of the images that surround us.