Defilé op de Dam te Amsterdam bij de bevrijdingsfeesten op 28 juni 1945 Possibly 1945 - 1946

This black and white photograph captures a parade on the Dam Square in Amsterdam on June 28, 1945, during the liberation festivities. What strikes me first is the careful arrangement of elements, where the orderly rows of soldiers contrast with the festive chaos of the decorations above. It's all about seeing how these contrasts work together. The physical details—the grainy texture, the way the light catches the edges of the buildings and the soldiers’ uniforms—give it an immediate, visceral feel. See how the photographer frames the shot? The eye is drawn to the center, to that strange, almost alien structure hovering over the square. Is it a symbol of hope, or a reminder of the upheaval they’ve all just been through? It reminds me a little of some of Gerhard Richter’s blurred photographs. Like Richter, this anonymous photographer seems less interested in capturing a perfect image than in conveying a sense of atmosphere and emotion. There’s no right or wrong way to interpret it, and maybe that’s the point.