Doorbraak van de Sint-Antoniesdijk op 5 maart 1651 1728

This 1728 etching by Bernard Picart depicts the catastrophic flooding of the Sint-Antoniesdijk in Amsterdam, which occurred on March 5th, 1651. The engraving depicts the dramatic moment the dike breached, showing the force of the water as it rushes through the broken dike and the frantic figures witnessing the disaster. The scene captures the destructive power of nature, serving as a reminder of the vulnerability of human settlements to natural forces. This work, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, showcases the skill of Picart in conveying a historical event with dramatic detail.