Molen tussen de Haarlemmerpoort en het Leidse Bosje 1903

Pieter Ras made this watercolour and pencil drawing of a windmill near Haarlem. I love the way the scene emerges from a series of light washes and delicate lines. You can imagine Ras standing there, trying to capture the scene, deciding what to include and what to leave out. The subtle gradations of color create depth and atmosphere, so, the sky blends seamlessly with the water, mirroring the tranquil mood of the scene. I wonder if he was thinking about earlier landscape painters, like the Dutch Masters, who were also trying to capture the essence of the Dutch landscape? I think there’s a real conversation going on between artists across time. Each one builds on what came before, responding to and reinterpreting the world in their own way. Painting is an exchange of ideas, where each artist offers a unique perspective.