Zijaanzicht van Kasteel Gunterstein, Breukelen 1680 - 1696

Joseph Mulder etched this view of Castle Gunterstein sometime between 1658 and 1718, capturing the architectural essence of its time. The symmetrical facade and manicured gardens reflect a human desire to impose order on nature. The statue atop the castle draws the eye, a miniature deity presiding over the estate. Statues have served as potent symbols of power and cultural values since antiquity. Consider the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a symbol of triumph and divine favor, or the stoic figures of Roman emperors embodying authority and governance. Here, the statue is a motif, evolving across time and cultures, continually reshaped by collective memory and societal ideals. We can observe the image of a statue is a non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing and evolving in different historical contexts.