Ramp te Oud-Vossemeer op 13 maart 1906 1906

This photograph by the Gebroeders van Straaten was taken on March 13th, 1906. I can imagine the artist standing knee-deep in water, trying to capture this disaster on a small glass plate. The brothers were probably thinking about how to get the best exposure and composition in such challenging conditions. I wonder what they hoped to achieve with this image? I can imagine them wanting to document the event for posterity or maybe raise awareness about the devastating effects of the flood. Look at the subdued tonal range of the image, from the dark rooftops to the lighter parts of the flooded street. See how the reflections on the surface add depth, making the houses look distorted and surreal. The photograph speaks to themes of vulnerability, resilience, and our complex relationship with nature. Artists work in conversation, thinking through and with each other. Photography and painting influence one another, responding to similar themes in different ways.