1e Doorbraak tusschen de Werken en Werkendam op den 17 en 18 Jan. 1849 1849

Johannes Beunis made this print titled '1e Doorbraak tusschen de Werken en Werkendam op den 17 en 18 Jan. 1849' without a specified date, using an etching technique. Consider the 19th century, a period marked by significant industrial and social upheaval, as well as the rising impacts of climate change. Beunis captures the breach between Werken and Werkendam during the January 1849 flood, an event that would have dramatically altered the landscape and lives of those who lived there. Notice the somber tones and detailed rendering of the flooded landscape. The submerged houses and uprooted trees speak to the vulnerability of the communities which were at the mercy of natural disasters. How did the economic hardships of the time amplify the suffering of those affected by the flood? The print invites us to reflect on how communities cope with disasters and the role of infrastructure in protecting vulnerable populations. Beunis’ print is a stark reminder of our relationship with nature. It acts as a historical record and a poignant commentary on the delicate balance between human life and the environment.