Fireworks on the Schiessplatz, Nuremberg, June 22, 1665 1665 - 1700

Georg Carl Hornung made this print of fireworks on the Schiessplatz in Nuremberg in 1665. The image gives us a glimpse into the spectacle and public rituals of the time. But it also says something about the relationship between art, power, and social order. Made in Germany, this detailed engraving depicts not only the fireworks themselves, but also the layout of the Schiessplatz, or shooting range, where the event took place. The formal arrangement of the display, almost like a military formation, reflects a society deeply invested in order and hierarchy. Fireworks, like other public displays of wealth and technology, were often used to celebrate rulers, commemorate victories, or reinforce social cohesion. They served as visual propaganda, reinforcing the existing power structures. Looking at such images, historical sources such as city records, personal diaries, and other prints, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, politics, and society in early modern Europe. Art is always a product of its time, reflecting the values, beliefs, and power dynamics of the society that creates it.