Twee molens bij een brug 1833 - 1879

Auguste Numans made this etching, "Two Mills by a Bridge," likely in the Netherlands during the mid-19th century. It depicts a rural scene, but what does it tell us about the Netherlands at the time? Windmills, of course, were crucial to the Dutch landscape and economy, used for draining water and grinding grain. Numans shows them as part of an idyllic setting, perhaps reflecting a nostalgia for a simpler, pre-industrial past. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes, including urbanization and industrialization. Artists like Numans often responded to these shifts by idealizing the countryside. To truly understand this print, we might consult archives, local historical societies, and period newspapers. By examining Numans's work within its historical context, we can appreciate how it both reflects and shapes contemporary attitudes towards progress and tradition.