Molen bij de Bergse verlaat aan de Rotte 1864 - 1867

Johannes Tavenraat created this brown ink drawing of a mill near the Bergse lock on the Rotte. The sketch is dominated by a large windmill on the left, its sails casting linear shadows that add depth to the structure. Tavenraat's technique involves layering thin washes to create a sense of atmospheric perspective and recession. The landscape includes trees, fields with grazing cows, and a figure fishing, establishing a visual rhythm that moves the eye across the scene. The delicate lines capture not just the scenery but also a sense of the pastoral, a common theme in Dutch art. The composition reflects the period’s interest in portraying the natural world with a balance of detail and broad strokes, inviting us to consider the interplay between industry and nature. This tension is further complicated by the industrial presence of the mill, contrasting the otherwise serene setting.