Schim van een meisje en twee honden bij een molen 1892 - 1940

Henri Verstijnen created this drawing of a girl and two dogs by a mill, using ink. Observe how the figure is integrated into the landscape: Her hair streams like the wind, mirroring the turning blades of the mill. The windmill, since the Middle Ages, has been a symbol of the transformation of natural forces into productivity and sustenance. This image is echoed in antiquity, where we find similar figures like water nymphs intertwined with rivers, suggesting the life-giving connection between humanity and nature. In contrast, the dogs, symbols of loyalty and instinct, appear less integrated, perhaps representing a more primal aspect of the human psyche. This tension—the dance between control and instinct—engages us on a deep level, tapping into our collective memory of nature's power. The cyclical nature of the mill’s turning reflects the constant, non-linear progression of these symbols. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings throughout history, just as the wind drives the mill, shaping our cultural landscape.