Tuin met een ronde parterre 1615

This engraving depicts a garden with a round parterre and was made by an anonymous artist. The image offers us a glimpse into the formal garden designs that became fashionable among the European elite. As we can see, the meticulously planned layout, complete with symmetrical patterns and manicured hedges, reflects a desire to impose order on nature. The garden is not only a place of leisure, but also a symbol of status and control. This kind of garden design reached its peak in the 17th century. They were often attached to royal palaces or stately homes and became stages for social display. Art historians draw on diverse sources, from garden design manuals to social chronicles, to decipher the meanings embedded in such images. By understanding the social and institutional context of this engraving, we can better appreciate the complex interplay between art, power, and society.