Prins Bernhard in een jeep Possibly 1945 - 1946

Willem van der Pol made this black and white photograph, Prins Bernhard in een jeep, and the date is unknown. Looking at this small print, what strikes me is the light and shadow playing across the figures, creating a stark contrast. The texture is revealed through the graininess of the photograph, adding a layer of depth to the image. Consider the way the light catches Prince Bernhard's smiling face. There is joy here, but the photograph is not soft, it is matter of fact, like war itself. See how the light creates a halo effect. I notice that the artist is thinking about the subject and not just the person in the jeep. This piece reminds me of the work of photojournalists like Robert Capa, who captured the raw emotion and immediacy of war through their images. Ultimately, this photograph is a reminder of the power of art to document, to provoke, and to question. It’s about seeing.