Groepsportret 1940 - 1943

This is a black and white photograph of a group of men, and it's been placed in a book. The photograph looks like it has been torn from something and carefully attached to the creamy yellow paper. It's so delicate. I’m drawn to the surface quality of the photograph itself; its matte texture feels almost velvety against the glossy sheen of the album page. The contrast between the sharp details of the figures and the soft, blurred background creates a sense of depth, drawing me into their world. There’s a stillness to the composition, but the expressions of the men hint at something deeper, a mix of pride, stoicism, and perhaps a touch of melancholy. The album reminds me of the work of Walid Raad, particularly his interest in memory and the ways in which images can both reveal and conceal. The book’s quietness invites me to reflect on the countless untold stories that lie hidden within its pages.