Landskab med en mølle 1625 - 1628

Jan van Goyen made this drawing, "Landskab med en mølle," with pen and brown ink. It's a scene dominated by a windmill, a structure crucial to the Dutch economy of the 17th century, as they were used to drain the land for agricultural use. Van Goyen's choice of medium emphasizes the importance of direct observation and skillful handiwork. The brown ink, fluid yet precise, captures the texture of the buildings and the landscape with remarkable economy. Look at how the artist has created the illusion of depth, using the thinness of the lines to his advantage. Drawings like these were not just preparatory studies, they were also commodities. Sold to collectors interested in the Dutch landscape, they became a symbol of national pride. This drawing is an example of how art and commerce intertwined, celebrating the industrious spirit of the Netherlands. It challenges any separation of fine art and craft, highlighting the value of skilled labor and the beauty found in everyday life.