Beschryving der nieuwlijks uitgevonden en geoctrojeerde slang-brand-spuiten

Art Historical Context

Step into the innovative world of 17th Amsterdam with *Beschryving derlijks uitgevonden enoctrojeerde slang-spuiten* (Description of the Recently Invented and Patented Fire Engines), a remarkable 1690 book by Jan van der Hey, his son Jan van der Hey de Jonge, and publisher Januwertsz. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this compact volume (18 x 10¾ x 2½ inches) features meticulously etched and engraved illustrations that showcase cutting-edge fire-fighting technology. Jan van der Heyden, a celebrated Dutch painter known for his luminous cityscapes, turned inventor to combat Amsterdam's devastating fires. His patented "hose fire engines"—early pumps with flexible leather hoses—revolutionized urban firefighting, allowing water to be directed precisely at flames rather than sprayed wildly. Published amid the Dutch Golden Age's emphasis on engineering and civic improvement, the book blends technical manual with visual artistry, its detailed engravings capturing the mechanics of nozzles, valves, and horse-drawn apparatus in van der Heyden's precise, realistic style. These illustrations not only educate on lifesaving innovation but also highlight printmaking's role in disseminating knowledge. Etching and engraving ensured clarity and durability, making complex inventions accessible to firefighters and officials across Europe. A testament to art serving society, this work invites us to appreciate how creativity fueled progress in an era of wooden cities and candlelit nights.

About the Artist

Jan van der Heyden|Jan van der Heyden de jonge|Jan Rieuwertsz · 1637–1712

Dutch painter best known for depicting cityscapes. Comment on works: Landscapes; Views; Architecture