Watermolen bij Klingelbeek en Klarendal 1874 - 1878

Willem Cornelis Rip created this drawing of a watermill with pencil on paper. Immediately, one is struck by the detailed and delicate lines that define the structure. The texture is palpable, particularly in the thatched roof and the rough-hewn wooden planks of the mill. Rip’s use of line and shading creates depth and volume, giving the mill a solid, three-dimensional presence within the landscape. The composition is carefully balanced, with the mill positioned slightly off-center, drawing the eye across the scene from the small figure on the bridge to the dense foliage in the background. The artist shows a keen interest in the materiality of the buildings. The watermill is solid and practical, with a simple form following its function. In this drawing, Rip transforms a simple subject into a study of form and texture. This reflects a broader interest in the formal qualities of art that extend beyond mere representation.