Graf van Gerhard Neumann, een gevallen Duitse militair van de Kriegsmarine Possibly 1943 - 1947

This photograph of Gerhard Neumann’s grave, an anonymous work, is a stark reminder of war. It's all black and white, drained of the color of life, focusing on the stark geometry of the cross. The image is dominated by the Iron Cross, a bold shape with sharp edges. The Nazi swastika sits right at its centre. Look closely at how the graphic design of the cross contrasts with the soft blur of the surrounding grass, creating a tension between order and chaos. It feels like the photographer wanted to capture something lasting, a memorial, but also maybe something fleeting, the fragility of life. The monochrome palette makes the image feel distant, like a memory fading, or maybe the other way around: it makes the hatefulness of this imagery feel even more present. Thinking about artists who have grappled with history and memory, I am reminded of Anselm Kiefer, though Kiefer’s work is often large scale and painterly, the intention of making something memorable is ever present. Ultimately, this photograph, like any artwork, invites us to confront uncomfortable truths and question the stories we tell ourselves.