Overstroming tussen Vollenhove en Kampen, 1776 1778

Noach van der Meer the Younger created this print titled, Overstroming tussen Vollenhove en Kampen, which translates to "Flooding between Vollenhove and Kampen," in 1776. This piece captures a catastrophic dyke breach that devastated the Dutch countryside, reflecting the ever-present tension between the Dutch and the sea. Look closely, and you'll see how the community is rendered in the midst of crisis. The social hierarchy is subtly portrayed in the composition with some figures struggling to salvage possessions, while others escape with livestock or ride in carriages. This scene encapsulates the disruption of daily life, and the vulnerability of a society dependent on its defenses against the water. Van der Meer offers us a glimpse into a moment of collective trauma, the community's struggle for survival, and the social disparities exacerbated by natural disaster.