Prieel van de koningin in de tuin van Paleis Honselaarsdijk Possibly 1696 - 1774

This etching by Cornelis Danckerts II pictures the garden of Paleis Honselaarsdijk, featuring the Queen’s arbour. Here, we see the garden meticulously designed, embodying control over nature, a common motif since the gardens of ancient Persia. The fountain, centrally placed, is a symbol that has gurgled through time. In antiquity, fountains were sources of life, often adorned with gods like Neptune, the master of waters, symbolizing power and abundance. Later, during the Renaissance, fountains like those in the Villa d’Este became elaborate displays of engineering and artistry, expressing dominion and pleasure. Here, however, the fountain takes on a more subdued presence, reflecting the Dutch ethos of practicality blended with elegance, a testament to how symbols adapt. Thus, the garden is not merely a setting but a stage where cultural and psychological narratives intertwine. It is a space meticulously designed to evoke both admiration and an underlying sense of cultivated serenity.