Na de beschieting op de Dam Possibly 1945

This small black and white photograph by Willem van de Poll captures the aftermath of a shooting in the Dam Square, Amsterdam. It shows a scene, heavy with grief and bewilderment. I imagine the photographer wandering, framing this scene with a quiet, determined heart. He is looking. He is seeing. What was it like to witness this? What was he thinking when he raised the camera? The grey tones feel so immediate, almost tactile; they invite us to touch the coldness of the street and to feel the heavy weight of the bodies on the cart. The rough texture creates a feeling of reality, as though we are there, in the moment, witnessing a terrible event. The photograph feels like a stark, direct piece of history—a potent reminder of the impact of political action. Artists are always looking, sharing, learning from one another across time. We embrace ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations, and offering an ongoing conversation about life and art.