Gezicht op de achterzijde van Slot Zeist, vanuit de tuin gezien 1682 - 1726

Daniël Stopendaal created this print of the rear view of Zeist Castle from the garden, in the late 17th or early 18th century. The image offers us a glimpse into the rigid social hierarchies of the Dutch Golden Age. Castles such as this one were more than just homes; they were symbols of power and status. The symmetrical gardens, with their carefully manicured plants and fountains, reflect a desire to control nature, mirroring the control the elite sought over society. The figures strolling in the garden, dressed in their finest clothes, are purposefully framed to emphasize their elevated position. But consider the labor required to maintain such a place, the countless unseen hands that toiled to create this vision of perfection. This image invites us to consider who is included, who is excluded, and at what cost this idealized world was created. It's a reminder that beauty often obscures complex social realities.