Gezicht op Kasteel Maalstede, 1743 1754 - 1792

Hendrik Spilman etched this view of Kasteel Maalstede in 1743. Encircled by water, the castle embodies the archetype of fortification, its imposing structure designed to evoke feelings of security and invincibility. Throughout history, water has served as both a defensive barrier and a symbol of purification and the subconscious. The moat, a recurring motif in castle architecture, mirrors the psychological defense mechanisms we erect to protect our inner selves. This protective encirclement echoes in ancient mythologies, where water often demarcates the boundary between the known and the unknown. Think of the River Styx, separating the living from the dead. Even today, the image of a castle surrounded by water stirs a deep, subconscious sense of longing for safety and seclusion. We may no longer need physical fortresses, but the emotional resonance of such imagery persists, reflecting our innate desire for a sanctuary from the chaos of the world. It is a memory passed through generations, an ongoing symbol.