Gezicht op Kasteel Rosendael 1718

This print, made by Jan Smit around the turn of the 18th century, depicts Rosendael Castle and its gardens. Note how the rigid, geometric layout, characteristic of formal gardens, is charged with symbolism. The careful arrangement of nature reflects the human desire to control and order the world. This is a recurring theme, seen in the gardens of Versailles or the ancient Roman villas. Yet, this quest for order often masks deeper, more primal urges. The fountains and sculpted greenery hint at hidden desires, much like the formal attire of the figures in the foreground conceals their inner emotions. Consider how the image subtly reveals the tension between conscious control and the subconscious impulses that drive us. This controlled vista echoes through time, from ancient Egyptian tomb paintings, where symmetry and order reflected cosmic harmony. The Rosendael gardens are not merely a place of leisure but a stage upon which the drama of human desire and control plays out, resonating with echoes of the past.