In de stelling 1940 - 1941

This page of black and white photographs in a photo album was made by an anonymous artist. The images show us different parts of war, "in position". I wonder what the artist was thinking when they took these photos. I mean, did they have to think fast? It must have been intense. I can feel the urgency and chaos in those images, like a snapshot of fleeting moments in a life of constant movement, decisions and survival. The texture of the photographic paper reminds me that every element communicates. The composition is interesting, too. I wonder what kind of impact such images have had on painting? War photographers are in a strange dialogue with painters and artists. The exchange of ideas across time is huge, it seems like one is always inspiring the other's creativity. There’s no right or wrong way to interpret these images. Each viewer brings their own experiences.