Pembury Mill, Kent (Liber Studiorum, part III, plate 12) 1808

This is an etching by J.M.W. Turner, "Pembury Mill, Kent," made as part of his Liber Studiorum. At the heart of this image is the watermill, a powerful symbol of transformation. The wheel, relentlessly turning, captures the ever-flowing cycle of life and labor. We see this motif echoed throughout history—from ancient Roman watermills to medieval gristmills—each a testament to humanity's enduring quest to harness nature's energy. The wheel, eternally rotating, mirrors the cyclical nature of time itself, each revolution whispering tales of renewal and decay. Consider its cousin, the ship's wheel, guiding vessels across tempestuous seas. What is it about this circle that captures our imagination, and the very pulse of existence? It is this symbolic resonance, a collective memory passed down through generations, that imbues the watermill with such profound emotive power, drawing us into the heart of Turner’s vision.