Incendie 1715 - 1763

"Incendie" is an etching by Quentin Pierre Chedel, created between 1715 and 1763, depicting a city engulfed in flames. The scene is chaotic, with figures fleeing the inferno and debris falling from collapsing buildings. This print is a powerful example of the Baroque style, characterized by dramatic compositions, strong contrasts of light and dark, and heightened emotions. The artist's use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques to depict the fire's intensity is particularly noteworthy. The print's caption, "Horrenda urbis urenti's desolatio," emphasizes the devastating impact of the fire. This print is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.