Bassin in de tuin van Huis ter Meer te Maarssen - Hendrik de Leth

An eighteenth-century etching by Hendrik de Leth depicting the formal gardens and fountain at the Huis ter Meer estate in Maarssen.

This etching by Hendrik de Leth captures the formal garden of Huis ter Meer in Maarssen, a Dutch estate along the Vecht river. The composition focuses on a large circular basin, or fountain, which serves as the central feature of the grounds. The artist employs precise line work to delineate the clipped hedges, the symmetrical arrangement of the trees, and the architectural elements of the garden. Figures in period attire are positioned around the water, providing a sense of scale and social context to the scene.

The print reflects the aesthetic preferences of the eighteenth-century Dutch elite, who favoured structured, geometric garden designs that demonstrated control over nature. The perspective is carefully constructed, drawing the eye from the foreground basin towards the distant 'groot cabinet' or garden pavilion. The use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques creates texture in the foliage and depth in the sky, typical of the topographical printmaking style of the era. The dual-language caption at the bottom, written in both Dutch and French, indicates that such prints were intended for a wider European audience interested in the country houses of the Netherlands.

De Leth was a prolific mapmaker and engraver, and his attention to spatial accuracy is evident here. The work provides a historical record of the Huis ter Meer estate, documenting the layout of the grounds as they existed during the mid-eighteenth century. The print is a fine example of the period's interest in documenting private estates, combining technical skill with a clear, observational approach to the subject matter. It offers a glimpse into the leisure activities of the Dutch upper class, who spent their summers at these country retreats away from the urban centres.