Houten windmolen in een landschap 1855 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens rendered this wooden windmill in a landscape using an etching technique. The windmill, dominating the scene, symbolizes industry and progress, a testament to human ingenuity harnessing the power of nature. Yet, such structures echo broader themes, seen across epochs, like the Tower of Babel: symbols of human aspiration, reaching for the heavens, yet often laced with hubris. Consider Icarus, whose flight, fueled by ambition, ended in a fall. The windmill's revolving sails bear a kinship to the cyclical nature of time, similar to the Ouroboros, the snake devouring its tail. This symbolism transcends cultures, from ancient Egypt to Norse mythology, reflecting our profound, subconscious awareness of life's ephemeral nature. The image, beyond its rustic charm, stirs deep within us, reminding us of humanity’s relentless pursuit of progress.