Gezicht op een rietgedekt huis en nabij gelegen molen 1855 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens created this artwork, a view of a thatched-roof house and nearby mill, using etching techniques. The prominent windmill carries echoes of humanity's enduring dance with nature. Windmills, throughout history, have not merely been functional structures for grinding grain; they symbolize human ingenuity and our attempt to harness the earth's elements. One sees in them a reflection of our desire to control the uncontrollable. In the ancient world, similar mechanisms were revered as divine gifts, and they were often integrated into religious iconography. This reverence gradually transformed into a celebration of human resourcefulness during the Renaissance, symbolizing progress and enlightenment. Today, as we face environmental challenges, the windmill resurfaces as a beacon of sustainable energy. It reminds us that our relationship with nature is both cyclical and continuous, evolving through time yet rooted in our collective memory. Like a recurring dream, it persists and evolves.