Brand in de Pottebakkerssteeg te Rotterdam, 1779 - Pieter de Mare

A detailed 18th-century etching by Pieter de Mare documenting the 1779 fire in the Pottebakkerssteeg, Rotterdam.

This etching and engraving by Pieter de Mare documents a specific historical event: the fire in the Pottebakkerssteeg in Rotterdam, which occurred on 11 March 1779. The print captures the chaos and urgency of the scene, with the inferno illuminating the night sky and casting long shadows across the urban architecture. De Mare employs precise line work to delineate the gabled houses, the silhouettes of bare trees, and the frantic activity of the citizens attempting to combat the blaze.

The composition is structured to provide a clear view of the disaster from the perspective of the Maas river. In the foreground, figures are depicted in various states of distress and action, some salvaging goods while others operate firefighting equipment. The contrast between the dark, smoke-filled atmosphere and the bright, flickering light of the fire is achieved through careful hatching and cross-hatching techniques typical of late 18th-century Dutch printmaking. The inclusion of the title and dedication in the lower margin follows the conventions of contemporary topographical and historical prints, which served as both news media and collectible art for the public.

Pieter de Mare, a Dutch engraver active in the late 18th century, was known for his technical proficiency in reproducing scenes of contemporary life and historical occurrences. This work provides a glimpse into the urban conditions of Rotterdam during the period, specifically the vulnerability of densely packed wooden and brick structures to fire. The print remains a valuable record of the city's history, preserved in the collections of institutions such as the Rijksmuseum. It offers an objective, observational account of the event, focusing on the scale of the destruction and the collective response of the local population.