Dimensions height 224 mm, width 808 mm, height 252 mm, width 881 mm
This photograph, taken by the Panoramic Photo Co., shows the haunting aftermath of the First World War. The dominant symbol here is destruction, represented by the ruined architecture and the simple wooden crosses marking graves. These crosses, stark and repetitive, echo the ancient symbol of sacrifice, a motif found in countless cultures. From the early Christian images of the crucifixion to the sacrificial rituals of ancient civilizations, the cross represents a profound act of giving and loss. Here, in this field of war dead, it evokes a collective mourning, a shared grief that transcends individual stories. Consider how this differs from a triumphant cross on a battlefield. This image instead speaks to the futility of war, where the symbol of hope is overshadowed by devastation. It taps into our deepest fears and anxieties about mortality. The image serves as a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of violence and the enduring need for remembrance.
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After the end of the First World War, the Panoramic Photo Company, established in France, took photographs in various heavily shelled Belgian and northern French cities. The broad panoramic format brought the ravages to life more vividly than any other kind of ‘normal’ photograph could have. In addition to cities such as Ypres, Lille, and Arras, the firm also photographed the former battlefield. Intense fighting took place around Mont Kemmel in the final year of the war.
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