Voet van een molen in Voorburg 1888 - 1931

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this etching of a mill in Voorburg, using a monochromatic palette that feels both intimate and expansive. The art of etching, like painting, really reveals the artist's hand, doesn't it? Look at the mass of lines he uses to create the thatched roof. The density is amazing. These marks give the roof a tactile quality, almost as if you could reach out and feel the roughness of the straw. You can see it in the reflection in the water too. But what I love most is how Grondhout uses these dark lines, not just to describe form, but to create a mood. This seemingly simple scene is full of atmosphere. It reminds me of Whistler, actually, but with a more grounded feel. Grondhout’s focus on the everyday, transforming a humble mill into something truly captivating, is what makes this print so special. It shows us that beauty really is everywhere, if you take the time to look.