The Courtyard with the Vijver = palace pond at The Hague

Berckheyde was the master of the Dutch townscape. After travelling in Germany, he moved to The Hague.

The view shows a light-flooded scene with the political centre of the Republic of the United Netherlands: the official residence of the Prince of Orange-Nassau. The artist has planned his staffage with care. The foreground scene is peopled with elegantly-dressed riders, a falcon-seller, thoroughbred hunting-dogs, pedestrians and a beggar-woman. The calm nobility of the architecture is fascinatingly counterbalanced by its reflection in the water.