View of Kasteel Raaphorst, Seen from the South-west (?) 1646

Roelant Roghman created this drawing of Kasteel Raaphorst using pen and gray ink, offering us a glimpse into the Dutch countryside. Dominating the foreground is a structure that is more than a mere house; it is a keep, a stronghold. The building and the land seem to mirror each other. A body of water reflects the building and a simple wooden structure acts as a mirror, too. The house and nature are in harmony, representing a balance of man's creation and mother earth. The relationship between the house, the land, and the water is not simply visual; it is psychological, evoking emotions of belonging. We see these mirrored reflections throughout time; consider Narcissus, gazing at his own reflection. The pool of water, like the mirror, becomes a symbol of introspection and self-discovery. It represents the human tendency to turn inward and search for meaning in our reflections.