Allegorie op de brand in de Amsterdamse Schouwburg, 1772 1772

Cornelis Bogerts created this print in 1772, depicting the allegorical scene of the Amsterdam Theatre fire. The image is dominated by symbols of destruction and grief, as a female figure sits amidst debris holding a model of the Schouwburg. Note the angel pulling back the curtain, it is a powerful symbol of revelation, reminiscent of similar gestures in ancient Roman art, where uncovering a statue revealed truth or divinity. Here, the revelation is tragic: a theatre consumed by flames. This motif echoes through centuries, appearing in Renaissance depictions of unveiling, each instance tapping into a collective memory of revealing deeper truths. The burning theatre itself becomes a potent symbol of ephemerality and the transient nature of human creations. It also evokes a deep psychological response. Fire, both destructive and purifying, touches on primal fears and fascinations. The image, therefore, isn't just a depiction of a historical event but an engagement with the cyclical nature of destruction and renewal.