Demonstratie van de slangbrandspuiten bij het Stadhuis op de Dam, ca. 1700 1690 - 1710

Around 1700, Jan van Vianen created this print titled "Demonstration of the hose fire extinguishers at the Town Hall on the Dam." This print offers us a glimpse into the intersection of civic life and technological advancement in Amsterdam. It depicts a public demonstration of early fire-fighting technology, an event carefully orchestrated in the town square. Consider the moment in time: Amsterdam was a bustling hub of trade and innovation. The image subtly emphasizes the collective efforts of the community in protecting their shared space. It also subtly underscores the socio-economic dynamics of the period, contrasting the well-dressed observers with the laborers operating the fire hoses. "Demonstration of the hose fire extinguishers at the Town Hall on the Dam” is not merely a depiction of a technological spectacle; it encapsulates the spirit of a city on the cusp of modernity.