Drie brandspuiten en een brandend gebouw 1680 - 1690

Jan van der Heyden created this drawing with pen and brown ink, and grey wash. He was an artist with a keen interest in technology, so he also invented a more effective fire hose. This image shows three such hoses deployed to extinguish a fire. The material of paper provides a flat surface for the artist's rendering of form and space. The linear quality of pen and ink allows for precise details and clean lines, which contributes to the technical and architectural accuracy of the depiction. The grey wash adds depth and volume to the otherwise linear composition, creating a sense of light, shadow, and atmosphere. The drawing's social significance lies in its depiction of innovation, engineering, and civic responsibility. The image celebrates advancements in firefighting technology and portrays the coordinated efforts of individuals working together to combat a common threat. It also offers a glimpse into the urban landscape of 17th-century Amsterdam, where fire was a constant concern. Van der Heyden's work invites us to appreciate the social, technological, and material dimensions of visual representation.