Gezicht op Slot Zeist en de omliggende tuinen 1682 - 1726

Daniël Stopendaal created this print of Slot Zeist and its surrounding gardens in the late 17th or early 18th century, using etching techniques. It offers a bird's-eye view of the castle and elaborately designed gardens, showcasing the height of formal garden design during that era. This image reflects the intersection of power, aesthetics, and social status. The meticulously planned gardens, with their geometric patterns and manicured greenery, symbolize control over nature and, by extension, the social order. The castle itself would have been a hub of social activity, class distinctions, and gender roles. This kind of visual representation served to reinforce the owner's authority and taste. Consider how gender and class are subtly woven into this landscape. The gardens were spaces for leisure and display, where the elite could perform their social roles. This print invites us to reflect on the relationship between landscape, power, and identity in the context of the Dutch Golden Age.