De Tempel tussen Berkel-Rodenrijs en de Schie 1701 - 1759

Cornelis Pronk made this drawing with pen in grey ink, depicting 'The Temple between Berkel-Rodenrijs and the Schie'. While seemingly a simple landscape, this work offers insights into the cultural and institutional context of 18th-century Dutch art. The choice of subject – a rural scene – reflects a growing interest in the local and everyday, moving away from grand historical or mythological themes favored by earlier generations. The work's title points to a specific location, suggesting a desire for topographical accuracy, and the artist's method reflects the growing professionalization of art. Artists increasingly relied on commissions from wealthy patrons or institutions and this drawing may have been produced for such a purpose. To fully understand the meaning, we can research the history of land use and social structures in the area between Berkel-Rodenrijs and the Schie, exploring archives, maps, and other historical documents. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.