Plattegrond van Paleis Soestdijk en voorliggende lanen 1815 - 1868

Daniël Veelwaard created this "Plattegrond van Paleis Soestdijk en voorliggende lanen" drawing using pen and gray ink. The drawing presents a bird's-eye view of the palace and its surrounding gardens, emphasizing symmetry and order. The palace is positioned at the top of the drawing, with tree-lined avenues extending outward. Veelwaard employs lines and precise geometric forms to structure the composition. The drawing functions as a sign, directing not only visual understanding but also encoding values of control and structured perspective. The formal layout suggests an attempt to impose order on nature, reflecting Enlightenment ideals of reason. The work engages with contemporary debates around space, power, and representation by offering a plan that dictates visual and social access. The drawing challenges organic, free-form garden designs, asserting a formal arrangement that mirrors socio-political structures. Ultimately, it serves as a coded map, revealing aesthetic preferences and ideological positions about the control and perception of space.