Gezicht op de buitenplaats Reigersburg en gezicht op de buitenplaats Oosterzicht 1725 - 1768

This print presents two views of country estates, offering us a glimpse into the architecture and landscaping of the time. The stylized depiction of nature and the rigid symmetry reflect a desire to impose order on the natural world. Take, for instance, the carefully aligned trees mirroring each other on either side of the path. The trees evoke the ancient symbol of the axis mundi, the world's center, which appears throughout history. In ancient cultures, the axis mundi connects the earthly and the divine realms and symbolizes stability and order. This symbol is re-contextualized into manicured nature in these Dutch estates. Note how the figures are neatly arranged in small groups, almost like decorations themselves. This controlled representation speaks volumes about the psychological landscape of the time. What emerges here is not just a picture of a place, but a reflection of the human psyche—our longing to control chaos. This pursuit of order, played out in gardens and buildings, allows us to engage with deeper, age-old symbols of stability and control. The urge to order creation takes new forms over time, and is constantly reshaped by cultural and historical context.