Gezicht op Kasteel Sterkenburg after 1710

This is an anonymous etching of the Castle Sterkenburg, now in the Rijksmuseum collection. The architectural forms of the castle and its gate are meticulously rendered, offering a study in contrasts. The composition divides into distinct vertical sections, anchored on the left by the solid gate and on the right by the cylindrical tower. This division invites a reading of binary oppositions – enclosure versus openness, stability versus aspiration. Notice the lines and hatching, which do more than describe forms; they create textures and patterns that engage the eye. Semiotically, the linear structure and perspectival accuracy indicate a world defined by reason and order. However, the image also suggests the presence of the unknown. The mirrored image in the gateway arch offers not just depth but also a glimpse into a potentially infinite regress. Ultimately, this is a play between the certainty of the physical world and the infinite possibilities of thought and representation.