Through gas and smoke, our troops advance to the final assault of Passchendaele Ridge c. 1917 - 1918

This stereoscopic photograph by Realistic Travels shows troops advancing through gas and smoke. The subdued greyscale palette and soft focus lend an ethereal quality, blurring the line between documentation and emotional expression. The texture of the image feels grainy, almost like a charcoal drawing. The soldiers, rendered as ghostly figures, are swallowed by the landscape, each step forward feels tentative, and laden with uncertainty. Look at the stark contrast between the ghostly figures and the heavy, textured ground. The lack of crisp detail only heightens the sense of chaos and confusion inherent in warfare. The overall effect is less about clarity and more about conveying a mood, a feeling. This reminds me of some of Gerhard Richter’s blurred paintings based on newspaper photographs. Both artists use the blurring effect to transform the image into a space of reflection, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of war and its impact on the human psyche. Art isn't about providing answers, but about asking questions and embracing ambiguity.