Burensche Poort te Tiel 1744 - 1807

Hendrik Tavenier made this drawing of the Burensche Poort in Tiel with pen in gray ink and brush in gray wash. The old gate, reflected in the water, conveys the economic and political importance of Tiel as a strategic location and trading center in the Netherlands. During the 18th century, the rise of a wealthy merchant class led to the development of institutions like the Teylers Museum, which supported the arts and sciences, and the Felix Meritis Society, which provided a venue for intellectual discussion and artistic expression. The print may also reflect the rise of Dutch patriotism, with artists making and selling images of local landmarks. To understand the importance of this particular gate, we might start by researching the archives from the Dutch East India Company or local historical societies. Art is always contingent on the social and institutional context in which it's made.