Paleis Vrijburg, Mauritsstad, Brazilië 1642 - 1652

This 17th-century Dutch papercut, “Paleis Vrijburg, Mauritsstad, Brazilië,” depicts the imposing palace of Mauritsstad in Brazil. The intricate silhouette, created by cutting away paper to reveal a white design against a black background, highlights the building’s grand facade, surrounded by palm trees and a walled garden. This artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, provides a glimpse into the Dutch colonial ambitions in South America during this era. The intricate detail and the minimalist aesthetic of the papercut are characteristic of the Dutch artistic tradition of the period.