1939 in beeld Possibly 1940 - 1946

This cover from ‘Algemeen Handelsblad’ in 1939 is an image made through a printing process. What grabs me is the way the images are layered. The tank is right there on top and then, below it, a whole world is being crushed. I love how the artist uses black and white to create depth and texture. Look at the head with wings at the bottom. It’s like history and beauty are being run over, literally flattened. It's not subtle, but what was happening then wasn't subtle either. The bold red of ‘1939’ against the monochrome makes you stop. The tank is so solid and imposing, while everything underneath seems fragile and broken. The artist might be suggesting that art, knowledge, and even peace are under threat. It reminds me of some of Grosz’s or Heartfield’s photomontages, the way they used collage to make a statement about society. Ultimately, it is a reminder that art can be a powerful witness, even when it's uncomfortable.