Gezicht op de Scheveningse Zeestraat (Scheveningseweg) 1681 - 1682

Cornelis Elandts' "View of the Scheveningse Zeestraat," made in the 17th century, presents a road stretching towards the sea, flanked by meticulously aligned trees. This seemingly simple depiction evokes complex historical and cultural echoes. The avenue, almost a processional way, leads the eye to a distant church spire, a symbol deeply rooted in collective memory. Such constructed avenues, reminiscent of Roman roads or pilgrimage routes, appear across different epochs and locations. Consider, for example, the Champs-Élysées in Paris, echoing the same desire to impose order and direction upon the landscape. This motif taps into a deep-seated human impulse to control nature, reflected in the formal gardens of Versailles. The avenue's vanishing point holds an almost hypnotic quality. It is an invitation, a pathway into the unknown, symbolizing both earthly progress and perhaps, a spiritual journey. The church at the avenue’s end takes on a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. It calls to mind the cyclical nature of human endeavor and the enduring quest for meaning, continually resurfacing across history.