Ruïnes 1830 - 1899

Alexander Schaepkens created this etching titled 'Ruïnes'. Schaepkens, who lived through a time of significant social change, including the rise of industrialization and urbanization, seems to be commenting on a bygone era. The depiction of ruins can be seen as more than a literal representation; they represent the decline of past civilizations and the transience of human achievements, inviting reflections on the ephemeral nature of power. Consider the choice to include a man and child, dwarfed by the ruins, which serves to emphasize the insignificance of human life, whilst evoking feelings of melancholy and nostalgia. The work engages with the concept of the sublime and a desire to find meaning in the face of nature's indifference. Ultimately, this artwork shapes and reflects societal issues by prompting viewers to contemplate the cyclical nature of history and the enduring power of ruins as symbols of human ambition.