Gezicht op de tuinen, het Hercules monument en het waterspel te Karlsberg 1706

This is Alessandro Specchi’s detailed rendering of Karlsberg, created around the turn of the 18th century. Rendered with careful detail and precision, the print emphasizes the formal arrangement of the gardens and architectural elements of the estate. The monochromatic palette accentuates the structural elements, creating a sense of order and control over nature. The composition unfolds in a structured, almost mathematical way, from the grand palace at the lower left to the Hercules monument atop the hill. Specchi uses a bird's-eye perspective to flatten the landscape, converting spatial depth into a network of lines and shapes. The use of perspective creates a structured hierarchy of power, where nature is meticulously shaped into geometric patterns, reflecting a desire to impose human order on the natural world. Consider how Specchi's engraving reduces the gardens to a series of signs. The lines, shapes, and textures represent a complex system of cultural values. The print invites us to analyze the structure of representation itself.