Rechts eine Windmühle, auf dem Weg ein Wagen mit Stroh 

Carel Lodewijk Hansen made this tranquil landscape using watercolor and pen with brown ink. Watercolors, typically seen as a preliminary medium, were often used for topographical studies and allowed artists to capture subtle gradations of light and atmosphere. Here, Hansen masterfully renders the scene with delicate washes and fine pen lines. The material qualities of watercolor lend themselves perfectly to the soft, diffused light of the landscape, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The presence of the windmill and the wagon filled with hay gives insight into the local agricultural activities. The figures on the wagon are a tiny detail, but speak to the labor involved in transporting the crop. By focusing on the craft of watercolor painting and the social context of rural life, we can gain a deeper understanding of this seemingly simple artwork, moving beyond traditional distinctions between art and craft.