Wehrmacht militair en NSBer. 1940 - 1941

Curator: This gelatin silver print, taken between 1940 and 1941, shows a Wehrmacht soldier and a member of the Dutch National Socialist Movement. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum’s collection. Editor: The starkness is what hits me first. The grainy texture, the high contrast… It projects a real sense of severity. It feels undeniably posed. Curator: Yes, the staged quality contributes to its function as propaganda, designed to project an image of unity. It’s interesting how photography was used to construct a particular narrative, solidifying the image of power. The social and political motivations are evident, serving to normalize a particular regime and solidify power. Editor: It’s more than staged, it’s a triangle! Look how the three figures compose the image and are bound together by the men’s linked arms supporting the central figure; these elements create a deliberate sense of stability. The high-gloss boots create a powerful base. Semiotically, the visual weight of those dark uniforms is significant. Curator: The photograph comes to us with text inscribed along the bottom edge; “NSB, Noordwijk.” NSB indicating the Dutch National Socialist Movement headquartered in this locality. Images like these are historical records that can bring depth to our understanding of the past. What the formal aspects suggest might offer nuance or discord, with other related archival imagery. Editor: Visually, there is tension. Note the hard, geometric lines of the window frame versus the brick path beneath their feet. They don’t seem to quite align. What would you say that reflects? Curator: It points to a wider fractured narrative; the imposition of order upon something already existing but with a distinct identity. Such historical images can spark a broad conversation about how societies are shaped. Editor: Exactly, and that’s why examining formal properties helps access more profound perspectives. Curator: It’s true, the analysis is incomplete without that level of looking and insight. Editor: On that note, shall we proceed to our next stop?