Mill in the forest at a falling mountain water 1868

Andreas Achenbach painted this mill in the forest most likely in the mid-19th century. In the 1800s, Germany was undergoing rapid industrialization, and landscape paintings like this one were a way of reflecting on the changing relationship between people and nature. The image creates meaning through a set of contrasting visual codes: the sublime beauty of untouched nature versus the industrial functionality of a mill. Watermills were vital infrastructure, but were under threat. Did Achenbach's artwork comment on the social structures of its time? It's possible he was self-consciously conservative, looking to critique the institutions of art in favor of more traditional ways. In order to find out, we'd need to consult a wide range of research resources, including exhibition reviews, letters, and other documents. These can help us reconstruct the context in which Achenbach's art was made and viewed.