Klosbaan bij Paleis Het Loo 1689 - 1702

Laurens Scherm created this print of the Klosbaan near Het Loo Palace in the late 17th century using etching. Here, the meticulously designed garden isn’t merely decorative; it's a stage upon which symbols of power and control are displayed. These formal gardens, with their geometric patterns, have roots that go back to the Renaissance, yet echo even older forms of ordering nature, seen in ancient Roman villas and Persian gardens. They express a desire to dominate the wild. Consider the labyrinth, a recurring motif in garden design. It evokes the myth of the Minotaur, a symbol of hidden dangers and the triumph of human intellect over primal instincts. This ordered chaos speaks to the complex psychological tension between control and the subconscious. Such imagery resonates through history, changing and adapting to mirror the anxieties and aspirations of each era. The garden, therefore, becomes a potent symbol, constantly re-emerging as a reflection of our evolving relationship with nature and ourselves.