Landschappen met molens c. 1780 - 1800

This drawing, Landschappen met molens, was made by Barend Hendrik Thier. It presents three landscape sketches, each a subtle study in the structure of rural scenes, articulated through delicate lines and tonal variations. Notice how the artist uses the repetition of horizontal lines to divide each landscape into distinct planes, creating a sense of depth and distance. This formal arrangement guides the viewer's eye, prompting us to consider the relationship between near and far, solid and void. Thier employs a limited palette, focusing on the contrast between light and shadow to define the forms of the windmills, buildings, and trees. The sketches are structured not just by what is depicted but by how it is depicted. It’s a study in the basic formal elements that constitute a landscape. The drawing offers a structural framework of observation and representation.