Ruïnes bij de Vismarkt te Brussel, 1695 1695

Richard van Orley created this engraving titled, Ruïnes bij de Vismarkt te Brussel, in 1695. It depicts the ruins near the Fish Market in Brussels after the bombardment by French troops the same year. Van Orley's depiction invites us to reflect on the consequences of war and the reshaping of urban identity. He uses the architectural ruins not just as a backdrop, but as a profound statement about the fragility of cultural heritage, and the transience of human endeavors. This was a time when the reshaping of cities often mirrored the reshaping of political identities, and those with lesser social status bore the brunt of these conflicts. Look at the figures amongst the ruins, mere shadows of everyday people moving through the skeletal remains of what once was a vital part of their city. This piece reflects how communities rebuild and redefine their identities amidst trauma. Van Orley isn't merely documenting destruction; he is capturing the emotional and social landscape of a city in mourning, yet hinting at its resilience.