Voorgevel van Huis ter Meer te Maarssen c. 1740

Hendrik de Leth created this print of Huis ter Meer in Maarssen in the 18th century. Notice the geometric precision of the gardens, reflecting a desire to impose order on nature. Such gardens are filled with symbolic weight. The circular pool, for instance, reminds us of ancient Roman gardens, spaces designed not just for pleasure but for philosophical contemplation. The circle, a symbol of eternity and perfection, invites reflection on the cyclical nature of time and existence. We see this motif echoed in the Renaissance, where gardens became microcosms reflecting humanist ideals. These formal gardens evolved, carrying echoes of ancient philosophical pursuits, constantly shifting their meaning. The pursuit of order and harmony in gardens engages us on a subconscious level. This speaks to our inherent need to find structure, but also to the transient, cyclical nature of existence.