Ruïnes te Brussel, 1695 1695

Augustin Coppens etched this depiction of Brussels' ruins in 1695. The skeletal remains of buildings dominate the scene, punctuated by figures amidst the rubble, and in the distance is the defiant silhouette of a church. The ruin is a powerful symbol, recurring throughout history. We see it in Piranesi's romanticized Roman ruins, and its resonance echoes back to the ancient world. It represents not just destruction, but also the inevitable passage of time and the transience of human endeavor. Yet, the church in the distance holds a different symbolism. The church represents continuity, endurance, and spiritual resilience. The juxtaposition of the ruined buildings with the church creates a tension, a visual dialogue between devastation and enduring faith. This tension taps into our collective memory of loss and our deep-seated yearning for stability. The ruin, then, is more than just rubble. It is a memento mori, an enduring reminder of the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth, a symbol that continues to haunt and inspire us across the ages.