Gezicht op een standbeeld bij een zessprong bij buitenplaats Sterrenbos en een gezicht op een vijver 1725 - 1768

This anonymous print depicts the Sterrenbos estate with ink on paper. These gardens were not merely decorative; they were stages for social performance. The upper panel features a statue, around which a gathering of elegantly dressed figures is assembled. Consider how these manicured landscapes and their statuary served to reinforce the power and status of the elite. Wealth was signaled through ownership of land and leisure. In contrast, the lower panel presents a serene, almost melancholic scene, with a lone figure by the pond. What narratives are suggested by these contrasting images of public display versus private contemplation? This work invites us to reflect on the intersections of nature, power, and identity in the 18th century. It prompts us to consider the ways in which spaces are designed to shape human behavior and social hierarchies.