Gezicht op de erepoort van buitenplaats Duinrell 1675 - 1711

This is an engraving of the gate at Duinrell, created by an anonymous artist. Gates, like the Roman Arch, have always been more than mere entrances. They symbolize transitions, thresholds between worlds. Consider, for instance, the Ishtar Gate of ancient Babylon, adorned with beasts and gods, a portal to the sacred city. This engraving echos such ideas, albeit in a more secular tone. The meticulously aligned trees create a visual corridor that draws the eye and mind. It is a manifestation of humanity's yearning for order and control over nature. The gate, as a motif, has reappeared throughout history, shifting from a symbol of defense to one of welcome, from the boundary between the profane and the sacred to the divide between public and private. Our collective memory imbues these symbols with a resonance that goes beyond their immediate function.