Brand in een huis 1782 - 1837

"Brand in een huis" (Fire in a house) is a watercolor painting by Pieter Bartholomeusz. Barbiers, dated 1782-1837, and housed in the Rijksmuseum. The artwork captures a dramatic scene of a building engulfed in flames, with people attempting to escape the fire using ladders. The artist employs a muted palette, highlighting the chaotic nature of the event through the use of gestural brushstrokes. Barbiers, a Dutch artist, was known for his detailed portrayals of everyday life, often depicting scenes of urban life and natural disasters. This intimate, yet impactful portrayal of a fire in a house offers a glimpse into the anxieties and challenges of life in the 18th and 19th centuries.