Ruïnes aan de Pompenburgsingel te Rotterdam c. 1940 - 1945

This photograph of ruins on the Pompenburgsingel in Rotterdam was taken by J. Nolte. The photo captures the bleakness of a city scarred by conflict, and I imagine Nolte, like many artists, felt compelled to document this reality. There's a stark contrast between the rubble and the everyday life continuing around it – people cycling past, a car in the distance. It makes me think about how artists respond to trauma, using their work to process and reflect on the world around them. Nolte’s composition draws your eye to the horizon, where life persists amidst devastation. It is a potent reminder of the layered nature of history. Like a painting, the photograph invites us to contemplate themes of resilience, memory, and the ongoing dialogue between destruction and renewal. It's a conversation artists have been having for centuries, each adding their unique voice and perspective.