Aantekeningen over de watersnood van 1809 door Cornelis van Hardenbergh 1809

Cornelis van Hardenbergh created these notes on the flood of 1809, in pen and ink, during a time of great political and social upheaval in the Netherlands, then under French rule. Van Hardenbergh’s notes and sketches provide an eyewitness account of a natural disaster that dramatically impacted the lives of ordinary people. Water, in this context, isn't just a force of nature; it becomes a symbol of the precariousness of human existence, a reminder of our vulnerability in the face of overwhelming power. The handwritten nature of the document creates a sense of intimacy, as if we’re reading a personal diary. The emotional impact is palpable, inviting reflection on the fragility of life, and on how communities rally together. These notes remain a poignant reflection on the collective experience of surviving a crisis, highlighting themes of resilience, and the shared vulnerability that binds us together.