Afbeelding van den brand der ouden Schouwburg, te Amsterdam 1772

This print, titled "Afbeelding van den brand der Ouden Schouwburg, te Amsterdam", was created by Erven de Weduwe Jacobus van Egmont and depicts the fire at the Oude Schouwburg in Amsterdam. The piece offers a glimpse into the social and cultural life of 18th-century Amsterdam, and the role of theater within it. The print captures the moment when the fire, which broke out on May 11, 1772, engulfed the theater. It also shows people fleeing in panic. The text accompanying the image speaks to the chaos and confusion, noting how the crowd's desperation to escape actually blocked the doors, leading to more casualties. The fire not only destroyed the theater, a place of public gathering and entertainment, but also spread to nearby houses, causing even more devastation. This image serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the power of collective panic, reflecting on the communal experience of disaster and loss in a bustling urban environment.