St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk 

John Crome painted this view of St Benet’s Abbey, Norfolk, focusing on the landscape where a windmill stands out. The windmill, a symbol of industry, immediately brings to mind the cyclical nature of life and labour. This symbol resonates across cultures. In the classical world, similar mechanisms powered grain mills, signifying sustenance. In Dutch paintings, windmills also represented the ever-present battle against the sea, mirroring man's struggles against nature. Observe, too, how the clouds mirror the earth below. This mirroring can be seen throughout art history; it suggests a connection between the celestial and terrestrial realms. The clouds, pregnant with rain, echo the potential for renewal and fertility—a recurring motif that touches upon our collective longing for stability and growth. This deep-seated longing manifests in various forms, from ancient fertility rites to modern-day agricultural practices. These echoes remind us that images possess a life of their own, resurfacing across time, transformed yet still resonant.