Landgoed Vollenhoven te De Bilt 1828 - 1830

Albertus Verhoesen's print captures the Landgoed Vollenhoven estate, presenting a vision of stately elegance through its architecture and leisurely hunting scene. At the center of the image, a man on horseback accompanied by a hunting dog evokes a sense of aristocratic life, referencing a ritual steeped in tradition and social status. The motif of the hunt carries echoes of ancient myths, like the goddess Diana with her hounds. Across centuries, we observe how these hunting scenes evolve, appearing in tapestries and paintings, embodying power, provision, and, eventually, a symbol of leisure and dominion over nature. The emotional depth of the hunt lies in its primal roots, reflecting our collective memory of survival and the pursuit. It represents a theater of social display, where the subconscious desire for control intertwines with the performance of status. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.