Kasteel Nieuw Herlaer te Sint-Michielsgestel 1701 - 1759

Cornelis Pronk sketched Kasteel Nieuw Herlaer in Sint-Michielsgestel with pen and gray ink in the 18th century. The castle, viewed from afar, is dominated by its tower, a symbol of power and fortification. The tower as a motif reaches back to ancient times, appearing in the Tower of Babel narrative, a testament to human ambition and, ultimately, its limitations. This phallic symbol pierces the sky across cultures, from medieval fortresses to modern skyscrapers. The high tower acts as a constant reminder of mankind’s hubris. Even in this simple sketch, the verticality of the tower engages our collective memory. It speaks to a universal aspiration for transcendence and a deep-seated, perhaps subconscious, desire for dominance and control. It is this visual language, transcending time, that continues to resonate and shape our perceptions.