Wehrmacht kompagnie op appel Possibly 1940 - 1949

This photograph, made by an anonymous artist, captures a Wehrmacht company on roll call. It’s a small picture, but the lack of information about its making makes it all the more intriguing. The image is black and white, with varying shades of gray that offer a stark, almost clinical view of the scene. The surface is matte, which mutes any potential glare and gives it a documentary feel. Look at the row of soldiers, their helmets reflecting the light, the texture of their uniforms seemingly rough and worn. My eye is drawn to the figure of the officer; his uniform is slightly lighter, and the way he stands with his hands clasped is somehow so human amongst all the regimented lines. This one gesture really highlights the contrast between individual expression and group conformity. Like a lot of photographs from this era, this one feels like a conversation between the personal and the political. It reminds me of the work of Gerhard Richter, particularly his explorations of memory and history. This artwork becomes an open question about the nature of looking, seeing, and remembering.