Het vergaderhuis van de Collegianten te Rijnsburg 1701 - 1759

Cornelis Pronk made this drawing of the Collegiant’s meeting house in Rijnsburg, likely in the first half of the 18th century. The Collegiants were a liberal religious movement in the Netherlands that promoted tolerance and reason in theological debates. This image creates meaning through its depiction of a relatively modest building set in a rural landscape with a windmill in the background. Pronk’s choice to depict the building in such a way, without overt symbols of religious authority, reflects the Collegiants' emphasis on personal piety over institutional power. The drawing may speak to the important role of the Netherlands as a haven for religious and intellectual freedom during this period. The Rijksmuseum’s archives, along with historical records from the Collegiants themselves, could further illuminate the social and institutional context in which this drawing was made. Such research could enhance our understanding of the public role of art and the politics of imagery.