Ruïnes te Brussel, 1695 1695

Augustin Coppens’ etching, "Ruïnes te Brussel, 1695," uses a stark, monochromatic palette to depict a landscape of devastation. Jagged lines define the crumbling architecture, creating a sense of unease and fragmented space. The composition, while seemingly representational, leans towards abstraction through its emphasis on texture and pattern rather than realistic detail. This focus on form over content aligns with the broader artistic concerns of the era. The ruins themselves become a study in line and shadow. The structural integrity of the buildings is broken down into a series of chaotic lines that destabilize any traditional notions of order or beauty. The artist invites us to consider not just the destruction of a place but the deconstruction of visual language itself, leaving us to question what remains when familiar structures—both physical and representational—collapse.