Twee uitgebrande huizen in de Oude Nieuwstraat, 1682 Possibly 1682

Jan van der Heyden’s drawing from 1682 depicts two fire-ravaged houses in Amsterdam's Oude Nieuwstraat, reduced to skeletal remains. The scene evokes the fragility of human creation against the elemental force of fire. The image is dominated by the motif of destruction. Houses, typically symbols of domestic security, are here presented as hollow shells, echoing the transience of material existence. Consider the classical image of the phoenix rising from ashes. The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth and resilience, yet in this drawing, the charred remains suggest a more melancholic contemplation of loss. The image resonates with a primal fear – the fear of fire and the chaos it brings. This fear is woven into our collective memory, recurring across cultures in myths and cautionary tales. Like a recurring nightmare, the scene taps into our subconscious awareness of vulnerability. Note how the artist captures the emotional weight of the scene, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.