Echtpaar overleden van de honger 1944 - 1945

This stark image, Echtpaar overleden van de honger, or Couple Died of Hunger, was made by an anonymous artist, its date unknown. The stark black and white tones don’t offer any relief, underscoring the brutal reality it depicts. It's a collage really, of images and text, pasted to a dark background. I am struck by the grainy texture of the photographs, evidence of a harsh reality, devoid of comfort. My eye is drawn to the juxtaposition of the body with the neat dresser in the background. The inclusion of a typed note listing black market prices—butter at $55—adds a layer of economic context to the human tragedy. This piece reminds me of the unflinching gaze of artists like Kathe Kollwitz, who also confronted themes of poverty and loss. It’s a reminder that art, even in its most difficult forms, serves as a crucial witness to history.