Militairen aan de waterkant 1940 - 1943

This black and white photograph, Militaren aan de waterkant, of unknown origin, captures a group of military figures by the water. It's the kind of image where the greyscale does the talking, evoking a sense of starkness and clarity. What I find myself drawn to is the texture of the photograph itself. The subtle graininess, the way the light catches on the surface, almost feels like a memory etched in time. Look at the small number 37 in the corner - a hint of the personal nature of this found image. It speaks volumes about the process of photography—its ability to freeze a moment, to bear witness. I think about artists like Gerhard Richter, who also used photography as a source, blurring and manipulating the images to explore the nature of perception and memory. This photograph, with its simple composition and ambiguous figures, invites us to contemplate the stories hidden beneath the surface, reminding us that art, in any form, is always open to interpretation.