Kasteel Oldehuis te Vollenhove 1729

Abraham de Haen the Younger sketched this castle in Vollenhove using pen in 1729. The Oldehuis castle looms with its formidable architecture, a testament to power and defense. The tower, a prominent feature, evokes a sense of strength and protection, a symbol deeply rooted in our collective consciousness. Consider the tower as a motif; it is not unique to this Dutch landscape. Think of the Tower of Babel, or the many watchtowers in medieval art. Each shares this element, yet shifts in significance depending on its context. Here, the tower suggests not just physical security but perhaps the psychological security sought by those within its walls. The image of such structures taps into the memory of ancestral longing for safety and authority. As we look upon this drawing, we are reminded of how symbols persist, adapting their meanings across the ages, yet still resonating with our deepest emotions.