Gezicht in de tuin van Slot Zeist 1682 - 1726

Daniël Stopendaal created this print of Slot Zeist's garden sometime around the early 18th century. The gardens of Zeist castle were well known, and this print gives us a glimpse into how the Dutch elite shaped their environment to reflect their status. The garden’s rigid geometry, visible here, was a visual metaphor for control and order. The carefully sculpted hedges, symmetrical arrangement of space, and placement of statues weren’t just about aesthetics. They were a form of social display, communicating power and wealth. The garden became an extension of the owner's identity. It reflected their values and aspirations for social standing. Prints like these also circulated within a specific art market, catering to a growing interest in landscape and country estates. By studying such images, along with estate records and social histories, we can understand the values and structures of Dutch society at the time.