Proces van Neurenberg Possibly 1945 - 1946

This photograph of the Nuremberg Trials, was taken by the Keystone Press Agency. The shades of grey in this picture are so stark that it almost looks like a charcoal drawing, and the lack of colour gives it an unsettling atmosphere. The men, mostly in suits, are seated at desks, their faces in shadow, and the guards around the edge stand to attention, creating a rigid, formal composition. The desks create a rhythm of dark verticals and horizontals that contain and compress the figures within. I can’t help but notice the artificial lighting in the courtroom – the way it's captured in the photograph. It’s like an alien presence, harsh and unforgiving. It reminds me of some of Gerhard Richter’s black and white paintings. Richter often used photography as a starting point, blurring the images to reflect the uncertainty and ambiguity of history. In both artists work, the greyscale palette leaves us with a sense of detachment, inviting reflection rather than offering easy answers.