Molen aan een dijk te Reeuwijk Possibly 1866 - 1929

Willem Cornelis Rip sketched this landscape, featuring a windmill on a dyke at Reeuwijk, most likely en plein air, using graphite on paper. The simplicity of the materials is telling: sketching was a way to quickly capture a scene. The softness of graphite allows for a wide range of tonal values with minimal effort. Rip has utilized the hatching and stumping techniques, by using the side of the graphite stick to create softer shadows and textures. The paper too plays a role; its slight tooth grabs the graphite, creating a lively surface. The choice of subject matter is also important: the windmill represents the power and labor needed to manage the Dutch landscape. This was a recurring theme for artists like Rip. By focusing on the working structures of the countryside, Rip acknowledges the human intervention required to maintain it. This challenges traditional art that celebrated nature as untouched, and reminds us of the labor involved in shaping our environment.