Landschap met water en een molen c. 1825 - 1875

Petrus Johannes Schotel made this sketch, "Landschap met water en een molen," using graphite. As an artist working in the 19th century, Schotel navigated a cultural landscape that was increasingly shaped by industrialization and urbanization. During this time, the Netherlands experienced significant economic and social changes, and Schotel's choice to depict a rural scene with a windmill can be interpreted as a commentary on the changing relationship between humanity and the natural world. This piece captures an idyllic scene with a body of water and a traditional windmill, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a simpler way of life. In the context of 19th-century Holland, the image of the windmill, a symbol of Dutch ingenuity and independence, takes on a deeper meaning, representing both a connection to the past and a hope for the future. The soft, almost ethereal rendering of the landscape invites us to reflect on our own place within the natural world.