Groep militairen in uniform 1941 - 1945

This small photograph, of unknown origin, shows a group of uniformed military personnel. Looking at this picture, I’m struck by the repetition of forms, the endless line of soldiers fading into the distance. The palette is muted; greys and browns dominate, creating a somber, serious mood. There’s a stark contrast between the rigid formation of the soldiers and the organic shapes of the bare trees lining the street. The rough texture of the cobblestones underfoot contrasts with the smooth, dark fabric of the uniforms. You can almost feel the weight of those coats, the precision of their tailoring, and the weight they carry. It reminds me of some of Gerhard Richter’s grayscale paintings, where the act of painting becomes a way of grappling with memory and history. It shows how a limited palette and a focus on texture can evoke a powerful sense of place and time. Art is, after all, an ongoing conversation.