Wals 1931 - 1937

This anonymous photograph called Wals is one of many housed in an album at the Rijksmuseum. It’s a humble black and white photo, maybe from the early 20th century, and it shows a steamroller and two men. What strikes me is the texture, or rather, the range of textures captured: the smooth, polished metal of the roller contrasts with the rough, almost organic shapes of the trees behind. The men are almost incidental, yet their presence grounds the image, giving a sense of scale and human connection to this machine. The light is soft, diffused, creating a consistent tonality across the composition. Look at how the light reflects off the rounded surface of the roller, it’s almost sensuous! This photograph feels like it could be related to the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher who were known for their typologies of industrial structures. Here, there's an almost scientific approach to documenting this machine, yet the human element and the subtle play of light elevate it beyond mere documentation. It reminds us that art, in any form, is about seeing and making us see, in new ways.