Molen 1847 - 1899

Editor: This is Jacob Maris' "Molen," an etching and print made sometime between 1847 and 1899. It’s at the Rijksmuseum. The scene has a somewhat bleak, industrial feel… like progress encroaching on a more pastoral existence. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, this etching offers a powerful glimpse into the socio-political landscape of the Netherlands during a period of rapid industrialization. Windmills, once symbols of Dutch ingenuity and self-sufficiency, are recontextualized here. They are being overshadowed. It's about what is lost when progress is achieved at all costs. Editor: Overshadowed by what exactly? Curator: Think about what the windmill represents in Dutch history. It’s not merely a machine; it’s tied to Dutch identity, independence, and a connection to the land. Maris, I think, hints at how industrialization could potentially displace these deeply ingrained cultural values and modes of living. How might the rise of urban centers and factories have impacted rural communities? Editor: So, it’s a commentary on the changing social fabric? Curator: Precisely. And notice the starkness of the etching itself – the heavy lines, the muted tones. It visually conveys a sense of unease, of something essential fading away. Where does Maris stand on the political issues? Editor: That’s a good point, it doesn't obviously valorize either progress or the old ways. It poses a lot of good questions. I hadn't considered that a landscape could have so much to say about society. Curator: Art allows us to look into the mirror and think of our identity in a globalizing and diversifying context. Editor: Absolutely. It has certainly broadened my understanding. I'll look at landscapes differently now.