Portret van Jan van Speijk en de ontploffing van zijn schip 1831

J.B. Clermans created this print of Jan van Speijk and the explosion of his ship using etching. Here, we see Speijk's portrait above a depiction of the dramatic explosion, an event laden with symbolic weight. The explosion itself, a moment of destruction, paradoxically symbolizes ultimate sacrifice and heroic martyrdom. Think of the motif of the phoenix, consumed by flames only to rise again, a symbol found across ancient cultures, from Egypt to Greece. Similarly, the explosion in Clermans' print transcends mere annihilation. The explosive gesture reappears throughout history, often tied to moments of radical change or self-immolation, embodying a potent mix of fear, awe, and transformative power. This image, like the phoenix, engages our collective memory, stirring deep, subconscious recognition of sacrifice and renewal.