Het dorp Molenaarsgraaf 1701 - 1759

This is Cornelis Pronk’s drawing of the village Molenaarsgraaf, made with pen in brown ink on paper. The delicate hatching lines bring the village to life, focusing on the shapes and forms of the buildings. The choice of medium speaks to a tradition of detailed observation, yet it's not merely a neutral record. Brown ink, derived from natural sources like iron gall, carries its own history – a connection to script and record-keeping. It is a medium which is rooted in the everyday, yet elevated through Pronk’s skilled hand. Pronk’s drawing invites us to look closely at the intersection of labor, landscape, and representation. It challenges us to consider the social context embedded in even the simplest of artistic choices, and challenges the boundaries of fine art and craft.