Gezicht op het Agnietenklooster in Rotterdam in 1574 1818 - 1867

Carel Christiaan Antony Last made this print of the Agnietenklooster in Rotterdam in the nineteenth century, envisioning the scene as it was in 1574. The Agnietenklooster, or Agnieten Convent, was a significant religious institution in Rotterdam. It was founded in the fifteenth century, serving as a house for religious women. This print offers a glimpse into the physical and social landscape of the time. Rotterdam's architecture reflects the influence of the Dutch Renaissance, with its characteristic stepped gables and orderly facades. Through Last’s choices, we might consider the role of religious institutions in shaping the social and cultural fabric of the Netherlands during the 16th century, as well as the interest in this history shown in the 19th century. To understand it better, we might turn to historical records, architectural surveys, and studies of religious life in the Netherlands. We can then consider the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the nineteenth century, as artists looked to the past for inspiration.