Stellung in Pernis 1940 - 1941

Editor: Here we have “Stellung in Pernis,” a photographic work dating from 1940-1941. It's an albumen print and is part of the Rijksmuseum collection. Looking at the layout of these smaller images on a single page, I’m immediately struck by a sense of historical documentation. What do you see here in terms of its significance? Curator: I see a powerful example of how photography was used during wartime, specifically during the Nazi occupation. This isn't simply a collection of landscapes; it's a record of fortifications and defense positions in Pernis, near Rotterdam. The seemingly mundane images of fields, embankments, and structures, when considered in their historical context, transform into evidence of a society preparing for and enduring conflict. Editor: So, you're saying the placement of the photographs transforms a personal snapshot into something more intentional? Curator: Precisely. Consider the photographer's decision to create a complete view. Also, what institution would deem this necessary, or worth the resources, to preserve, and how did its perspective affect our reading? Did it reinforce nationalist narratives? Were there also attempts to display the grim realities of occupation and wartime existence? These details are crucial for understanding the impact of photographs beyond their purely aesthetic qualities. Editor: That's fascinating. It makes me rethink how we categorize photographs – they can be simultaneously personal and powerfully political. Curator: Exactly. Analyzing photography means paying attention to not only what's depicted, but how it's framed, presented, and ultimately, interpreted within larger social and political structures. Editor: Thank you, I have never considered this work in this context, and it certainly informs a new way to interpret similar landscape photos. Curator: You're welcome! Considering context certainly offers valuable insights.