2e Doorbraak tusschen Werkendam en de Werken op den 17 en 18 Jan. 1849 / Gezigt v. de Westzijde 1849

Johannes Beunis created this print titled '2e Doorbraak tusschen Werkendam en de Werken op den 17 en 18 Jan. 1849 / Gezigt v. de Westzijde' in 1849. This print captures the aftermath of a dike breach near Werkendam during a harsh winter. Consider the social position of Beunis, an artist living in the Netherlands, where the constant threat of flooding profoundly shaped the nation’s identity. Here, the breached dike and the disrupted landscape are more than just physical damage; they represent a rupture in the community’s sense of security and control over their environment. The figures shown, struggling against the damage, underscore themes of human vulnerability and resilience in the face of nature's power. The event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing negotiation between the Dutch people and the waters that both threaten and sustain them. This print memorializes a moment of crisis, reflecting a collective trauma and underscoring the communal effort required for recovery.