Brand op de Lauriergracht te Amsterdam, 1669 1690 - 1735

This print, *Brand op de Lauriergracht te Amsterdam, 1669*, was made by Jan van der Heyden. As a print, the image is achieved through the skilled labor of carving lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then transferring that ink to paper under pressure. The result here is a detailed scene of the 1669 fire in Amsterdam. The stark monochrome emphasizes the drama and chaos of the event. Note the textures, from the billowing smoke to the panicked crowd. The image’s power derives from the way the etching process captures this scene. This labor-intensive process mirrors the frantic activity depicted, with many hands working to combat the flames. The print itself becomes a document, a record of collective action in the face of disaster. Through its meticulous rendering, this print elevates the everyday labor of firefighters and the community into a historical narrative. It serves to remind us that what we call "art" is often deeply intertwined with the social and material conditions of its creation.