Interieur van de ruïne van Kasteel Brederode c. 1634 - 1635

Gerard ter Borch sketched this interior of the Brederode Castle ruin. The Brederode Castle was located near Santpoort, in North Holland, and destroyed in 1573 during the Eighty Years’ War. Drawn from an unusual angle, the sketch shows the vaulted ceiling, the archways, and the crumbling walls. The artist captured the effects of time and neglect on the once-grand structure. During the Dutch Golden Age, the ruins of Brederode Castle became a popular subject for artists. The ruins were seen as a symbol of the Netherlands' struggle for independence from Spain. Ter Borch’s sketch invites reflection on the ephemeral nature of power and the impact of conflict on the landscape. The Rijksmuseum archives and historical records offer more on the cultural context of these ruin images. The art historian uses these resources to unlock the meanings that lie within the sketch.