Watermill at the Foot of a Mountain c. 17th century

Editor: So, this etching is called "Watermill at the Foot of a Mountain" by Allart van Everdingen. The delicate lines create this really peaceful, almost melancholic mood for me. How do you read this landscape? Curator: That melancholic air, yes, I feel it too. It’s like staring into a half-remembered dream. Van Everdingen, you see, was utterly captivated by the drama of Scandinavian landscapes, even though this is probably closer to home. That dense foliage, the way the light struggles to break through... does it evoke a sense of the sublime for you? Editor: Definitely, especially how the mountain looms in the background. Curator: Right? It is like nature’s stage, and we, the audience, are caught in its spell. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks!