Gebruik van de nieuwe brandspuitslangen, 1677 1677 - 1718

This print, made in 1677 by Joseph Mulder, depicts the use of new fire hoses. The most striking symbol here is the fire itself – a primal force of destruction, yet also of purification. We see echoes of this motif throughout history, from the biblical tales of cities consumed by flames to the classical myths of phoenixes rising from ashes. Fire, here, in the Dutch context, transcends simple disaster, instead becoming a symbol of resilience, of communal response. The collective effort to combat it highlights humanity’s enduring struggle against chaos. This image, much like ancient rituals, taps into our deepest fears and our most profound hopes for renewal, reminding us of the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth.