Bericht van intekening voor de twee platen van de verwoestingen door de buskruitramp te Leiden, 1807 1807

This broadside, printed by M.F. Pieper in 1807, announces a subscription for two prints depicting the ruins and rubble in Leiden, Netherlands, following the devastating gunpowder explosion of January 12th. The prints, based on drawings by H. Numan and engraved by Reinier Vinkeles, aimed to capture the disaster's impact on the city. This document highlights the cultural and social responses to a tragedy, emphasizing the act of bearing witness. The broadside seeks to evoke empathy. The text describes how the prints will show a tableau of devastation, displaying the horror of the city's destruction for those unable to witness it firsthand. The subscription sought to gather funds to aid those "plunged into poverty" by the disaster. This broadside therefore serves as a historical record of a community grappling with loss. It illuminates how art can function as a catalyst for social support, reflecting both collective trauma and a shared desire for recovery.