Chinese Pronk plate 'Doctors Visit'

Cornelis Pronk (1691–1759) was a Dutch artist from Amsterdam known for his precise drawings of towns, landscapes, and historic buildings. After training as a portrait painter under Arnold Boonen (1669-1729), he became especially respected for his detailed topographical drawings, many of which were later engraved and published. In addition to painting and drawing, Pronk also created decorative designs, including patterns for porcelain.

In 1734 the Dutch East India Company (VOC) commissioned Pronk to design porcelain that could be produced in China for the European market. He signed a three-year contract with the Company and received a salary of about 1,200 guilders per year. Each year he was required to produce a new design, including both the shape of the pieces and the decorative motifs. Several copies of the drawings were made so they could be sent on different ships to Asia. Some of these drawings are still preserved at the Rijksmuseum.
At that time Chinese goods such as tea, silk, and porcelain formed an important part of the VOC’s trade. After China reopened its maritime trade in 1684, Chinese merchants regularly sailed with large junks to Batavia. From 1729 onwards the Company also organised direct voyages to Canton in order to secure supplies for the European market. Pronk’s designs were sent to Asia and the VOC ordered a limited assortment including dinner services, tea services, vases with basins, and decorative mantelpiece sets. These were produced in several colour schemes, such as blue-and-white, enamel decoration, and the colourful Imari style with iron-red and gold.

The project was ambitious but complicated. The designs had to travel from the Netherlands to Asia before production could begin, and the finished porcelain then had to be shipped back to Europe, a process that could take several years. Because of the cost and complexity, the quantities produced were relatively limited. Pronk ultimately supplied four series of designs during his collaboration with the VOC. Today “Pronk porcelain” is valued as an important example of early Chinese export porcelain designed for European taste, illustrating the close artistic and commercial connections between Europe and China in the 18th century.

The design known as “The Doctor's visit to the Emperor” or “Four doctors” was the second porcelain pattern created by Cornelis Pronk for the VOC. The original design was sent to Asia in 1736, although delays in shipping meant that production only began later. The composition exists in two versions: an early, more detailed design and a simplified version introduced around 1739.  
The scene shows three seated figures engaged in conversation while holding fish, with a fourth man standing behind them. A flowering tree appears in the background and a peacock stands on a fence nearby. The decorative border contains cartouches with fish and birds. Although the exact meaning of the scene is uncertain, it may have been inspired by Chinese imagery connected to the Taoist star gods, who were sometimes depicted together in stories and legends.  

Like the earlier 'parasol design', the production of this pattern faced practical difficulties. When the VOC agents in Canton requested prices from Chinese dealers, the costs were again considered very high, and only small quantities were initially ordered. It is known that two orders came to Holland with the VOC ship ‘Hogersmilde’ (built 1723, lost in 1750). The simplified version of the design was later introduced in an attempt to reduce costs and make production easier.  

Provenance: The Dutch collection of J. Leegstra (1937-2025).

Similar plates are in the collection of: 
-Metropolitan Museum of Art, object nr. 79.2.1118.
-Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number C.43-1912.

Condition: Perfect.

               
'Portret van Cornelis Pronk, Cornelis van Noorde 1759'                        'De doktersvisite aan de keizer, Cornelis Pronk, 17341736'
source: www.rijksmuseum.com.

source: C.J.A. Jorg, 'Pronk Porcelain', 1980.