Landscape with a Watermill c. 18th century

Curator: This is Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s "Landscape with a Watermill," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The sepia tones create this really serene atmosphere. What strikes you most about it? Editor: I'm drawn to the almost romantic portrayal of labor. The watermill suggests industry, but it's nestled so peacefully within nature. Is there a commentary here on the relationship between humans and the environment? Curator: Absolutely! Consider the period. The Enlightenment celebrated reason and progress, yet romanticism simultaneously yearned for a simpler, pre-industrial past. This landscape might reflect that tension, idealizing rural life while acknowledging the encroaching presence of industry. How does this push your understanding of landscape art? Editor: It makes me think about how landscapes aren’t just pretty scenes; they are political spaces reflecting societal values. Curator: Exactly! And understanding those values helps us critically engage with the art, and its own hidden power dynamics. Editor: This reframes my perception of landscape art entirely. Thanks!