Conflagration at Night 1762 - 1769

Johann Georg Trautmann's "Conflagration at Night" (1762-1769) is a captivating depiction of a town engulfed in flames. The scene, rendered in the style of Dutch Golden Age painting, captures the chaos and desperation of a fire, with smoke billowing into the night sky and panicked townsfolk rushing to safety. The artist's use of light and shadow creates a dramatic and realistic portrayal of the event, highlighting the fiery glow emanating from the burning buildings. This small oil painting, currently housed in the Städel Museum, is a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters and the resilience of those who endure them.