Windmolen 1854 - 1910

Willem Maris sketched this evocative drawing of a windmill using graphite. The composition, dominated by vertical and diagonal lines, centres on the stark silhouette of the windmill against a muted background. Maris masterfully uses shading to define the form, creating a sense of depth. The windmill is not just a structure but a study in contrasts, where the rough texture of the graphite mimics the weathered surfaces of the building. Maris's approach to form reflects the influence of structuralism. The drawing suggests a deeper engagement with the materiality of the subject. Note how Maris uses simple lines to evoke a sense of place. It invites us to consider the relationship between the man-made and the natural. The windmill, a cultural symbol, is rendered with an eye for its structural components, its stark form creating a composition in simple lines.