Achterzijde van Huis ter Nieuburch te Rijswijk met wandelaars 1697

Pieter Schenk created this print of the Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk. Its intricate lines and contrasting textures offer a glimpse into the structured elegance of 17th-century Dutch architecture and landscape design. The composition is structured by a series of horizontal planes, leading the eye from the detailed foreground to the more expansive background. Notice how Schenk uses linear perspective to create depth, drawing us into the formal gardens. The building itself is rendered with meticulous detail, each window and architectural element carefully delineated. Schenk’s use of light and shadow creates a dynamic interplay across the facade, accentuating its geometric forms. The figures populating the scene are diminutive, yet they add a sense of scale. The print functions as more than just a visual record. Its formal structure reflects the ordered worldview of the time, capturing an ideal of harmony between architecture and nature. Yet, it is a harmony achieved through the application of reason and control. Look at the tree, a symbol of nature, manicured to geometrical perfection.