Riviergezicht met molen 1842 - 1843

This landscape with a river and a windmill was created by Franciscus Bernardus Waanders using pen and brush in grey ink and grey wash. Notice how the ink and wash create a sense of atmosphere and depth, with the subtle gradations of tone bringing out the scene. Waanders was clearly skilled in the handling of these materials. The scene is quite traditional – but we should remember that windmills like the one depicted here were not just picturesque features. They were essential pieces of infrastructure, grinding grain to make flour. In pre-industrial Holland, windmills were the engines of the economy. So, while this image may seem like a straightforward landscape, it also speaks to the crucial role that technology has played in shaping the Dutch landscape and economy. The careful application of ink and wash elevates a familiar scene, inviting us to consider the intersection of labor, technology, and the natural world. It reminds us that even the most beautiful landscapes are often shaped by human activity.