Autumn in Elswout by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About "Autumn in Elswout"

by Jeroen de Jongh Photography

About the artwork

At Buitenplaats Elswout, you step back in time. Ever since the early 17th century, rich merchants from Amsterdam have chosen this place as their 'country house'. Each owner put his own stamp on the buitenplaats. Now almost 400 years later, Elswout has become a green pearl where nature and culture come together.

Elswout was founded in the mid-17th century by Carel du Moulin, but Amsterdammer Gabriel Marcelis completed the first construction of Elswout. Many great architects collaborated on the ever-changing architecture and landscape styles over the centuries. For instance, Pieter Post, the architect of the Palace on Dam Square, probably also collaborated on the design. Over the years, the style of the country estate changed with the changing trends; from Dutch Baroque gardens to landscape parks.

The oldest buildings at Elswout date from the 17th century, including the gatehouse and coach houses. The big house, orangery and model farm were designed in the 19th century by Constatijn Muysken, commissioned by the Borski family. The many small houses and bridges at this country estate also date from that time. The Borski family owned Elswout for three generations. A special family member was Johanna Borski, the widow of Willem Borski II. She was one of the wealthiest women of the 19th century and financed, among other things, the Dutch Bank and the first railways of our country.