Toepassing van de nieuwe brandspuitslangen, 1677 1677 - 1699

This print, titled "Toepassing van de nieuwe brandspuitslangen", was made in 1677 by an anonymous artist, using etching or engraving. It depicts the application of newly-invented fire hoses in Amsterdam. The image draws our attention to the innovative use of materials and technology to combat urban fires. Notice the long hoses snaking across the scene, powered by teams of workers operating pumps. These aren't traditional artistic materials, but rather practical tools made of everyday components like leather and metal, combined to address the urgent social need of fire control. The print underscores the material culture of urban life. The hoses and pumps represent a significant investment in infrastructure, reflecting the growing complexity of Amsterdam as a center of trade and commerce. The coordinated effort of the fire brigade also highlights the social organization required to manage a densely populated city. It is this intersection of material innovation and social order that this print captures so vividly. Ultimately, the image challenges our conventional notions of art by demonstrating how innovation in materials, like hoses, and the processes used, like firefighting, are deeply intertwined with social progress.