Ramp te Oud-Vossemeer op 13 maart 1906 1906

'Ramp te Oud-Vossemeer op 13 maart 1906' was made in 1906 by Gebroeders van Straaten. It’s a small photograph, so the level of detail is surprising, especially in the water. The grayscale palette is a limited range, but it does evoke a real feel. In the composition, the scene is bisected by the water level, placing the viewer directly into the environment and creating an emotional experience of being there. The reflections of the buildings in the floodwater create an unreal impression - which is so compelling. The buildings themselves are made from brick, a hard, straight material, and this is cleverly contrasted against the ripples and movement in the water, the soft curves of the boat, and the rounded figures of the people in it. It's this sensitivity to detail that allows for the capture of the image, but also what makes it a moving piece. The tonal simplicity of the image reminds me of Gerhard Richter's grayscale paintings; there's a clarity and purity in the mark-making that transcends its subject.