Molen aan een waterkant c. 1803 - 1818

Arnoldus Johannes Eymer created this pencil drawing of a waterside mill during the 19th century. The Netherlands, at this time, was undergoing significant changes as it moved away from its agricultural roots towards greater industrialization and urbanization. Eymer, working within the Dutch Romantic tradition, captures a scene that speaks to the idealization of rural life. While industrialization created new socio-economic classes, the image of the traditional windmill on the water is a celebration of Dutch heritage. This was especially important as the country grappled with its identity in the face of modernization. Eymer's choice to depict this scene in a sketch suggests a fleeting moment, perhaps a longing for a simpler past. In rendering the windmill, Eymer isn't merely documenting a structure; he's evoking a sense of place and history. The image may invite feelings of nostalgia and belonging tied to Dutch national identity.