Landschap met molen in de sneeuw 1847 - 1899

Jacob Maris created this watercolour painting, "Landscape with a Mill in the Snow", which now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The dominant visual experience here is one of quiet desolation, achieved through a muted palette and a composition that emphasizes the horizontal expanse of the winter landscape. Maris masterfully uses subtle variations in tone to depict the heavy, overcast sky and the snow-covered ground, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective. The windmill, rendered with broad, expressive strokes, anchors the composition and serves as a focal point, yet it appears almost spectral against the bleak backdrop. The limited colour palette - primarily greys, browns, and whites - reinforces the somber mood, while the texture of the watercolour adds a layer of depth and complexity to the scene. The painting challenges fixed meanings, inviting viewers to contemplate the relationship between humanity and nature. It prompts us to consider how we perceive and construct our understanding of landscape through the interplay of light, form, and texture.