Tuin met vier door gangen van traliewerk omgeven parterres c. 1583 - 1601

This print, "Garden with four parterres surrounded by trellised corridors," was created by an anonymous artist. The process is engraving, which involves meticulously incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper. The repetitive, precise lines of the engraving lend themselves well to the depiction of the garden's formal structure, and the architectural elements are captured in great detail. It’s interesting to think of the labor involved, not only in the garden’s upkeep, but also in its design and documentation. This type of garden, and the print itself, speaks to the relationship between power, control, and the natural world. The engraving represents a way of thinking about landscape as a status symbol, reflecting the owner's ability to command both nature and the skilled labor required to maintain such a space. By focusing on its making, we gain a new perspective on the social context in which the image was created.