Doolhof in de tuin van Paleis Het Loo 1689 - 1702

Laurens Scherm created this print of the maze in the garden of Het Loo Palace in the Netherlands in the late 17th or early 18th century. The design of gardens like this one spoke volumes about power and control. In the Dutch Golden Age, formal gardens were more than just pretty spaces. They reflected a desire to impose order on nature, mirroring the era's emphasis on reason and control. The maze, or 'doolhof,' was a popular feature, embodying the challenges and choices faced in life, but within a controlled environment. The architecture and landscaping were testaments to human ingenuity, but also served to emphasise the owner’s dominion over the natural world. Understanding this print requires looking into the history of landscape design and the social values it represented. Researching the patronage of Het Loo Palace and garden would reveal much about the political symbolism embedded in its design.