Wehrmacht militairen lopen in een straat 1941 - 1942

This photograph, taken by an anonymous photographer, captures Wehrmacht soldiers marching in a street. It’s a small, unassuming image, yet it holds so much history. What strikes me is the texture – the rough, uneven surface of the cobblestone street, contrasted with the smooth, uniform appearance of the soldiers’ uniforms. It's almost as if the photograph is trying to flatten everything into a single plane. The grey tones create a sense of distance, both physical and emotional. It's hard to get close to this image, to really feel it. And then there are the children. They look so small and vulnerable, almost lost in the composition. This piece reminds me of Gerhard Richter's blurred photographs. Both artists use a kind of detachment to explore difficult subjects. Art doesn't always provide answers, but it can offer a space for reflection, for questioning.