Gezicht op het Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk, 1697 1697

This print of the Huis ter Nieuburch in Rijswijk was created in 1697 by Jan van Vianen. The formal garden and imposing architecture of the building are delineated with tightly controlled and precise lines. The lines create a complex composition dominated by symmetry and order. The image is divided horizontally: the lower half features the geometric arrangement of the gardens with symmetrically placed figures, and the upper half showcases the building and sky. This division creates a sense of balance but also hints at the hierarchy between nature and human construction. The Huis ter Nieuburch is depicted as a symbol of power and prestige. The print functions as more than a mere representation; it is an ideological statement about control, order and the relationship between humanity and the natural world. The detailed lines and balanced composition invite us to consider how space and form were used to project authority and shape perceptions of power during the period.