Lanen in de tuinen op landgoed Clingendael Possibly 1689 - 1746

This etching by Laurens Scherm depicts the lanes in the gardens at Clingendael estate. The dominant forms here are the towering, pyramid-like structures that line the pathways, shaping the space into a kind of maze. The pyramid form carries echoes of ancient Egypt, a land of mystery, knowledge, and death. As we see here, the pyramid appears as a symbol of imposing monumentality, suggesting a constructed, controlled environment. These pyramids stand as silent witnesses, perhaps alluding to the impermanence of human endeavor. Consider how the maze itself is an age-old motif. From the labyrinth of Crete, where the Minotaur lurked, to the garden mazes of European aristocracy, it speaks to the human condition. We are forever searching, forever lost, within the complexities of our own making. This imagery evokes a sense of disorientation and the quest for meaning and direction. The gardens, the pyramids, and the maze evoke a powerful mix of control and chaos, order and confusion, engaging us on a subconscious level. This cyclical progression in meaning reflects how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new significance across time.