Mill by a River c. 18th century

Curator: Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich created this piece, "Mill by a River." It's currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you about it? Editor: The density of line work immediately gives me a sense of texture. The mill's thatched roof looks particularly rough and ready. Curator: Indeed. Dietrich, who lived from 1712 to 1774, understood how to convey the feeling of different materials with the etching needle. It's interesting to consider how this imagery relates to the societal importance of mills during that period. Editor: Absolutely. And think about the labor involved in maintaining such a structure, the constant repairs on that thatched roof, and the reliance on the river’s power. Curator: How this scene reflects the economic and social reality of rural life in 18th-century Europe really grounds it. Editor: Yes, considering the human effort inherent in what looks like a tranquil landscape adds depth. Curator: It transforms a simple scene into a rich consideration of work and survival. Editor: Precisely, it emphasizes the connection between art and the materiality of everyday life.