Eerste oorlogsdag: Volendamse meisjes. Possibly 1940 - 1945

This photograph by Polygoon, called "Eerste oorlogsdag: Volendamse meisjes", shows evacuees on the first day of war. I imagine the photographer, Polygoon, standing there, camera in hand, capturing the stark reality of displacement. What were they thinking as they framed this shot? What did it feel like to witness the uncertainty etched on these young women’s faces? You can see the material aspects of photography at work in the grainy texture, the stark contrast, and the way light falls across their traditional clothing. There's something in their eyes that holds both fear and resilience. The composition and the contrast of the black and white shades add to the weight of the moment. As viewers, we’re invited to contemplate the human cost of conflict. Artists like Polygoon are in an ongoing conversation, using their medium to reflect and challenge, giving a message of humanity and cultural identity across time.