Gezicht op de tuinen bij het Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk, 1697 1697

Jan van Vianen created this print in 1697, depicting the gardens at Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk, using etching techniques. The image presents us with a bird's-eye view of meticulously designed gardens, a clear demonstration of power and control over nature. Made in the Netherlands, this artwork offers a window into the social values of the Dutch Golden Age. The formal gardens reflect a desire for order and harmony, values deeply embedded in Dutch society at the time. The Huis ter Nieuburch was a site for international diplomacy, as shown in the upper inscription. For historians, prints such as this are invaluable resources. By studying the visual codes and cultural references within the image, and researching historical texts, we gain a better understanding of the social and institutional contexts that shaped its creation. The meaning of art becomes contingent on the ability to contextualize it in terms of societal norms.