Laura Hillman Testimony Analysis
Title
Laura Hillman Testimony Analysis
Subject
Testimony Analysis
Creator
Alyvia Bruce
Language
English
Analysis
The first photograph is an image of Laura Hillman (Hannelore Wolff), reflects in the stamps that she was born in Aurich on October 16th, 1923. This image captures Laura before much of the chaos in Germany has begun and her life is turned upside down. In the picture of Laura, she has a necklace of David’s Star symbolizing her Jewish faith.
The second photograph is an image is of Laura Hillman’s concentration camp record on stamped metal. This reflects her maiden name (Wolff), the year she was born (1923) and when she was deported to the camps (1942). This image says so much in its simplicity, summing up all of the violence, starvation, and atrocities that Laura faced during her time in each concentration camp into one stamped piece of metal.
The final image is of the Brunnlitz concentration camp which is one that Laura stayed in. This image shows the barracks where the prisoners were forced to stay in, the barbed wire fences keeping people both from leaving and entering the camp and the smoke stacks in the distance where the ovens were. Although this image is merely a black and white aerial shot, the history held in this still image speaks volumes and the cries of the despaired can be imagined. The grainy, vintage fashion of this image makes it seem like the Holocaust took place a very long time ago, and in some ways distances most modern individuals from the event, but in reality the terrible tragedies of WWII occurred no more than 78 years ago—well below the age of many people’s elderly family members.
The second photograph is an image is of Laura Hillman’s concentration camp record on stamped metal. This reflects her maiden name (Wolff), the year she was born (1923) and when she was deported to the camps (1942). This image says so much in its simplicity, summing up all of the violence, starvation, and atrocities that Laura faced during her time in each concentration camp into one stamped piece of metal.
The final image is of the Brunnlitz concentration camp which is one that Laura stayed in. This image shows the barracks where the prisoners were forced to stay in, the barbed wire fences keeping people both from leaving and entering the camp and the smoke stacks in the distance where the ovens were. Although this image is merely a black and white aerial shot, the history held in this still image speaks volumes and the cries of the despaired can be imagined. The grainy, vintage fashion of this image makes it seem like the Holocaust took place a very long time ago, and in some ways distances most modern individuals from the event, but in reality the terrible tragedies of WWII occurred no more than 78 years ago—well below the age of many people’s elderly family members.
Citation
Alyvia Bruce, “Laura Hillman Testimony Analysis,” HIST 1049, accessed May 19, 2024, https://hist1049-20.omeka.fas.harvard.edu/items/show/54.