Des explosions foudroyantes des chaudières à vapeur; de leur véritable cause; moyen infaillible de les éviter 1863

This is the title page of a book made by Désiré Tassin in 1863, titled "Des explosions foudroyantes des chaudières à vapeur; de leur véritable cause; moyen infaillible de les éviter," printed in Liège. Here we see the motif of an explosion, a sudden and violent eruption. This symbol echoes throughout history, from the volcanic eruptions depicted in ancient frescoes to the cataclysmic events described in religious texts. The explosion represents not just physical destruction, but also sudden revelation, a breaking of boundaries. Consider the ancient Greek concept of "ekpyrosis," the cyclical destruction of the cosmos by fire, followed by regeneration. The explosion, in this context, becomes a symbol of both ending and beginning. It resonates with our collective fears and hopes, tapping into a primal understanding of destruction as a catalyst for renewal. This image, though about steam boilers, carries within it the weight of ages.