Ansicht von Kleve mit Schwanenburg und Stiftskirche 1653

Jan van Goyen captured this view of Kleve with Schwanenburg and Stiftskirche in a drawing. Note how the windmill stands prominently against the skyline; more than just a feature of the landscape, the windmill serves as a potent symbol. In the Dutch Golden Age, the windmill was more than a mere tool; it symbolized Dutch ingenuity and prosperity. The windmill appears in many works across Europe, harking back to early medieval depictions of man's mastery of nature. Often, it represents the changing fortunes of humanity, a sentiment that echoes through time. In van Goyen's drawing, its presence evokes a sense of melancholy, a reflection of the temporality that affects all human endeavors. This is just one instance of the cyclical progression of a symbol; here, the image of the windmill resurfaces, evolving to express a feeling of temporal awareness that resonates even today.