Gezicht op Londen tijdens de grote brand, 1666 1666

This anonymous engraving depicts London ablaze during the Great Fire of 1666. Above the city, smoke billows, forming a dark cloud that dominates the skyline. Yet, in the foreground, figures calmly observe the destruction, accompanied by resting dogs, creating a stark contrast between immediate tranquility and distant chaos. The act of witnessing catastrophe from a safe remove is a recurring motif throughout art history. Consider, for instance, how ancient Roman frescoes portray onlookers observing gladiatorial combat, safely distanced from the arena’s violence. This detachment, while physical, evokes a complex psychological response—a blend of morbid fascination and relief at one’s own safety. The depiction of fire, historically a symbol of both destruction and purification, carries intense emotional weight. In myth, it represents transformative power, while psychologically, it taps into primal fears and anxieties. This engraving thus invites us to reflect on themes of destruction, renewal, and the human capacity to observe both with detached curiosity and profound unease.