Het verbranden van de roomse beelden na het vertrek van het Franse leger uit Utrecht, 1673 1719 - 1728

This etching, made in 1673 by an anonymous artist, depicts the burning of Roman Catholic religious items after the French army left Utrecht. The composition is dominated by a stark contrast between the solid, architectural forms of the buildings and the chaotic, amorphous shapes of the fire and smoke. The artist uses a precise, linear style to render the buildings, emphasizing their geometric structure and permanence. This contrasts sharply with the dynamic, swirling lines used to depict the fire, which conveys a sense of disorder and destruction. The figures participating in the burning are rendered with a sense of frenzied energy, their gestures exaggerated and movements seemingly uncontrolled. This contrast between order and chaos can be interpreted through a structuralist lens, highlighting the cultural and religious tensions of the time. The burning of religious items represents a symbolic act of purification and the rejection of established norms and values.