Moulin (Somme) 

This evocative photograph of a windmill in Somme was captured by Eugène Atget. The windmill, or "moulin," stands as a profound symbol of transformation and industry. These machines harness the elemental power of the wind, converting it into energy, an act resonating with alchemical traditions where transformation is key. Consider the windmill not just as a tool, but as a cultural artifact. Across Europe, similar structures appear in various forms of art, from bucolic landscape paintings to stark, industrial photographs. Each depiction carries echoes of the past, resonating with collective memories of rural life. Yet, within the context of its time, this image conveys a more complex message. The rise of photography as a documentary medium allowed for a new kind of cultural record, capturing the spirit of the age and resonating deeply with the collective subconscious. The windmill, therefore, transcends its physical form, acting as a symbol of a bygone era, ever-evolving through history.