Daudet's Mill 1893

Curator: This is Joseph Pennell's "Daudet's Mill," an etching completed in 1893. It's currently held here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: I find it immediately striking how Pennell’s etching evokes such a subtle, almost melancholic mood through the limited palette and intricate line work. Curator: Indeed. The materiality of the ink, the paper itself—these speak volumes. Pennell was deeply involved with the etching revival, fascinated by the democratization of art production that printmaking offered. The fact that he chose to depict Daudet's mill—a symbol of rural life and labor—fits neatly within this context. Editor: Agreed. I’m also intrigued by the composition. The way the windmills are arranged creates a spatial depth. See how he uses delicate strokes to suggest atmospheric perspective. It’s visually engaging, even if the subject matter appears somewhat ordinary. Curator: Ordinary? I think the windmills, especially the prominent one dominating the scene, represent not just labor but also the impact of industrialization on the landscape. Pennell often explored the changing urban and rural environments of his time, and etching allowed him to quickly document these transformations, creating multiple originals and making them more accessible. Editor: From a purely formal perspective, notice the play of light and shadow he establishes through these finely etched lines. The delicate contrast enhances the structure, providing it with shape, scale, and weight despite being executed in something as relatively "light" as etching. Curator: But we can't ignore that the subject matter has been filtered through Pennell’s perspective. He wasn’t just passively recording; he was actively participating in a broader artistic and social conversation about work and modernity. The availability of the prints also meant that they became commodities. Editor: Yes, of course. And speaking of conversation, considering his influences, Whistler comes to mind when I examine the abstract tendencies within the representation. The flattened space. Curator: Ultimately, “Daudet's Mill” is both a study in technique and a document of a changing world, and it compels us to ask ourselves to rethink about the legacy and life of the laborers and their instruments in art history. Editor: Precisely, it underscores how artistic choices and their representations can evoke a world in miniature, reflecting both artistic expression and socio-historical concerns.