Drie Portugese schepen bij Melaka in brand, 1606 1644 - 1646

This etching made in 1606 by an anonymous artist depicts three Portuguese ships ablaze near Melaka. The prominent symbol here is fire, a motif that carries profound cultural weight. Throughout history, fire has represented both destruction and purification. We can trace its fiery presence across epochs – from the volcanic forges of Vulcan in classical mythology, to the biblical narratives of cleansing flames. Even today, we see echoes of this duality; a controlled fire brings warmth, while uncontrolled it represents chaos. Here, the artist taps into our primal fear of conflagration, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. In this image, smoke billows, ships are destroyed. Fire, in this moment, symbolizes conflict, the destruction of colonialism, and the heat of battle. It's a visceral reminder of how elemental symbols resurface, evolve, and ignite our collective memory across time.