Italië, tijdens een vakantie van de familie Wachenheimer, zonder personen afgebeeld, eind 1935, Italië 1935

This is a photograph from the Wachenheimer family album, taken in Italy in late 1935. The absence of people in most of these images offers a striking contrast to the lively scenes of Italian life. Consider the recurring motif of the landscape, an empty stage, devoid of human presence. This echoes the pastoral landscapes found throughout art history, from the idyllic scenes of ancient Greece to the Romantic paintings of the 19th century. The depiction of nature as a serene, untouched realm carries a powerful emotional charge, offering solace and escape. Yet, in this context, it’s impossible to ignore the historical moment. In 1935, the rise of totalitarian regimes cast a long shadow across Europe. The empty landscapes could also be seen as a reflection of the anxieties and uncertainties of the time, a subconscious yearning for a world untouched by the turmoil of human conflict. It’s fascinating how the absence of figures can be more evocative than any depiction of reality. This image reminds us that even the most personal snapshots are always embedded in the larger currents of history and collective memory.