Abcoudermeer before 1873

Carel Nicolaas Storm van 's-Gravesande made this etching of Abcoudermeer. Born in 1841, he lived through a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization in the Netherlands. He and others turned to the countryside for solace. They created images of rural life which are filled with a sense of longing for a simpler time.   Look at how the artist uses the subtle variations in the etching to give a sense of the vastness of the landscape and sky, while focusing on the windmills. They stand as symbols of Dutch ingenuity but also of a traditional way of life.   There is a quiet, melancholic feel, as we witness a scene of rural serenity in the face of progress.   Storm van 's-Gravesande captures the emotional weight of a changing world, inviting us to reflect on what is gained and lost in the pursuit of progress.