Het Rapenburg te Leijden. Zoo als het zich vertoonde even voor de schrikkelijke uitbarsting van een Schip, geladen met Buskruid op den 12 Januarij 1807, benevens de, even voor en op het ontzettend oogenblik zich aldaar bevonden hebbende Persoonen 1807

Friedrich Christoph Dietrich made this print of Het Rapenburg in Leiden, capturing a moment just before a catastrophic explosion in 1807. But this isn't just a depiction of a place; it's a portrait of a society on the brink. Look closely at the figures populating the scene. The division of space reflects the rigid social hierarchy of the early 19th century, a world where class distinctions were visibly etched into the urban landscape. This tragedy impacted all, but the weight of such events often falls disproportionately on the most vulnerable. The print serves as a stark reminder of how collective trauma intertwines with individual stories. It invites us to reflect on the fragility of life and the shared humanity that binds us, even in moments of immense suffering.