H.E. shells bursting in Mametz Wood, hotly contested with the Prussian Guard, finally taken July, 1916 after 1916

This stereoscopic image, made by Realistic Travels, captures Mametz Wood after it was taken in July 1916. It’s a landscape rendered in shades of grey, the aftermath of war distilled into a scene of stark desolation. Look closely, and you’ll see how the surface is alive with texture. The blasted tree trunks, reduced to stumps, are rendered in sharp detail, while smoke hangs in the air. It's like the air itself has become heavy with trauma. The contrast between light and shadow creates depth, drawing us into the heart of the devastated wood. The artist doesn't shy away from the brutal realities, but there’s a strange beauty in the composition. Thinking about artists like Gerhard Richter, who used blurry photographs to reflect on history and memory, I see a similar intent here. It’s not just about recording what happened, but about grappling with the act of looking itself, questioning how we bear witness to such destruction. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for confronting the uncomfortable truths of our past.