Vuurwerk bij de viering van de Vrede van Utrecht, 1713 1713

Daniël Stopendaal created this etching titled, "Fireworks at the celebration of the Peace of Utrecht," in 1713. The artwork has a monochromatic palette, dominated by fine lines and intricate details that capture the ephemeral nature of fireworks. The composition is structured around a central monument, flanked by symmetrical displays of fireworks. This creates a sense of balance, but also tension between the static architecture and the dynamic, explosive displays. The formal arrangement conveys a complex interplay between chaos and order, reflecting the historical context of the Peace of Utrecht, which sought to establish a new European order. The fireworks, with their fleeting bursts of light, can be interpreted as visual signs of transformation. The use of symmetry and perspective organizes the visual field and invites the viewer to explore themes of peace, celebration, and the transient nature of historical moments. Consider the monumentality and the ephemerality of the fireworks. They together articulate the core of the print's structural concerns. They draw our attention to a moment of negotiated order, rendered through transient bursts of light and shadow.