Molen 'de Kolhorn' aan de Vest in Enkhuizen 1900 - 1931

Curator: What strikes me first is the stillness in this sketch; it seems almost reverent. Editor: Yes, it does have a certain quietude. This drawing, titled 'Molen 'de Kolhorn' aan de Vest in Enkhuizen,' by Willem Bastiaan Tholen, dates from the period 1900-1931. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum's collection. What catches my eye immediately is the obvious labor in depicting this rather humble industrial landscape. The materiality of pencil and paper elevates an otherwise unremarkable scene. Curator: Indeed, it does. Tholen, of course, was known for his dedication to realism, and his ability to capture a very specific sense of place and time. The choice to depict the windmill emphasizes the shifting landscape of the Dutch economy at the turn of the century, in relation to international trade and resource gathering. It's a record of cultural transformation as much as a visual image. Editor: Precisely. I’m particularly drawn to the way Tholen employs layering to depict the atmosphere around the structure. You can practically feel the rough texture of the windmill’s structure, the marks capture how it was built piece by piece. What I think some might dismiss as a simple study reveals Tholen’s respect for the windmill's architecture as both industrial tool and functional artwork, emphasizing labor in an evocative rendering. Curator: I appreciate your highlighting labor. It’s not always something art historians immediately think to highlight. Seeing how artists represent social labor shifts our view from them as solitary geniuses, and emphasizes a much larger network of forces and conditions in which the arts are always entangled. In fact, seeing the windmill now I can almost hear the distant sounds from within. Editor: I agree wholeheartedly! Focusing on labor illuminates a richer, fuller image. This pen and pencil sketch transforms the perception of windmills, recognizing the true foundations of industrial progress while creating an unexpected visual symphony. It’s an enduring example of the everyday elevated. Curator: Thank you, I’ll certainly think of this artwork differently. I suppose this simple drawing is really rather thought-provoking! Editor: Exactly! The unassuming strokes challenge our assumptions and uncover new depth within.