Berceau in de tuin van Huis ter Meer te Maarssen c. 1740

Hendrik de Leth created this print of 'Berceau in de tuin van Huis ter Meer te Maarssen'. Through the architectural detail of this waterside garden, a mirror is held up to the elite society of the Dutch Golden Age. The artist gives us a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy, their leisure and their connection to the landscape. Notice how the architecture seamlessly blends with nature, reflecting a desire to control and refine the natural world. What is so compelling here is how the formal structure of the garden contrasts with the wilder nature just beyond. These gardens were spaces not just of leisure, but also of display, designed to impress and assert social standing. In Dutch society at the time, where global trade and colonialism were shaping the economy, such displays of wealth spoke volumes about power and privilege. The print invites us to reflect on the relationship between wealth, nature, and social identity in the historical context of the Netherlands.