Het koninklijke jachthuis Wasserburg te Kleef 1750

Simon Fokke created this print of the royal hunting lodge Wasserburg in Kleef, using etching, a technique known for its fine lines and detailed textures. The symmetrical composition, with the lodge as a central focus, creates a sense of balance and order. Notice the contrast between the precise architectural details of the building and the more organic forms of the surrounding landscape. The textures, achieved through varying densities of etched lines, give depth to the scene, from the smooth water to the rough foliage and the structured facade of the lodge. This interplay between the geometric and the natural invites us to consider the relationship between human construction and the environment. It functions as a cultural sign, reflecting the 18th-century interest in both structured design and the picturesque qualities of nature. The etching technique, with its emphasis on line and detail, serves not only to depict a scene but also to comment on the era's aesthetic and philosophical values.