Gezicht op slot Ekholmen en zijn tuinen 1686

Herman Padtbrugge’s “Gezicht op slot Ekholmen en zijn tuinen” presents a formal garden using precisely etched lines. This monochromatic work emphasizes structure, with meticulous details of the garden's geometric layout dominating the composition. The symmetrical arrangement, viewed from an elevated perspective, is bisected by pathways leading to the Ekholmen castle, thereby creating a balanced yet rigid structure. The garden's patterned beds and architectural elements adhere to strict rules, yet these signs of order contrast with the natural exuberance they contain. The image, therefore, invites a semiotic reading where the garden symbolizes control over nature. Considering the 17th-century context, the artwork can be interpreted as an assertion of power and social hierarchy. The formal design represents the imposition of human will on the environment. This visual language is not merely aesthetic; it reflects broader philosophical concerns about humanity's relationship with nature and its ambition to govern the world through constructed spaces. The garden is both an artistic creation and a political statement.