Paviljoen van Ouderhoek 1719

Daniël Stopendaal created this artwork, Paviljoen van Ouderhoek, using etching techniques. The pavilion itself stands as a striking symbol of human aspiration, with its dome-like structure suggesting a reaching towards the heavens, a motif found in various architectural marvels throughout history. We see echoes of this reaching in the great cathedrals and even in the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia, all attempts to connect with the divine. The garden extending from the pavilion, evokes a sense of order and control over nature, symbolizing humanity’s desire to shape its environment. Think of the hanging gardens of Babylon, the botanical enthusiasm is a statement of human will imposed upon the wild. Such architectural and landscape choices, steeped in cultural memory, reflect a deep-seated human yearning for transcendence and harmony with the world. Note the non-linear, cyclical progression of such symbols – constantly resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings through the corridors of time.