Walstransport 1931 - 1937

This black and white photograph titled 'Walstransport' was made by an anonymous artist. It is mounted on a page in a book. The image is a study in contrasts, isn’t it? Look at the stark, unadorned facade of the building behind the road roller, then at the road roller itself. The photograph has a slightly grainy surface. The stark light emphasizes the contrast in textures between the machine and the building, giving everything a slightly ghostly appearance. I keep coming back to the road roller, it's clearly the focal point of the image. There are 5 men in the picture, but the roller is the star. To me the road roller feels like it is ready to spring to life. It reminds me of the kinds of inanimate objects that are bought to life in the work of Paul Klee. I wonder if he ever came across this image?