Oproep voor een collectie ten bate van de slachtoffers van de brand te Hilversum, 1766 1731 - 1766

This broadside, printed in 1766, served as a public appeal for donations to aid the victims of a devastating fire in Hilversum. The scene at the center is a clear visual plea, depicting a town reduced to charred remains. Encircling this central image are vignettes echoing themes of loss, but also gestures of charity and community. Consider the presence of people gathered around a table; this can be interpreted as a symbolic representation of communal support, reminiscent of ancient practices where shared meals signified solidarity and mutual aid. This motif appears across various cultures and times, from depictions of the Last Supper to community feasts in ancient Rome. The act of offering help, of providing sustenance and comfort, is an archetypal response to tragedy. These images touch upon deeply ingrained human instincts and memories—passed down through generations—prompting empathetic reactions. We see in this plea not just an appeal for funds, but a potent engagement with collective memory and subconscious drives that have shaped human behavior across time.