A Windmill and Cottages on a River Bank, Men in Rowing Boats c. early 17th century

Esaias van de Velde’s drawing shows us a waterside scene of windmills, cottages, and men in rowing boats rendered in pen and brown ink. Van de Velde worked in the Netherlands during the early 17th century, a time when the country was undergoing significant social and economic transformation. The detailed depiction of everyday life, with its focus on ordinary people and their activities, reflects the cultural values of the rising merchant class. Windmills, like the one seen here, were vital for land drainage and grain production, so they became symbols of Dutch ingenuity and industry. The rowing boats suggest a society intimately connected to its waterways, which were essential for trade and transportation. The artwork comments on the social structures of its time by celebrating the values of hard work and self-reliance that were central to Dutch identity. To understand this work better, we can look to historical documents, such as trade records, maps, and demographic studies, to fully appreciate its meaning.