Mill under the Waterfall c. 17th century

Curator: Let's explore "Mill under the Waterfall" by Allart van Everdingen. It’s currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like a peaceful pastoral scene, but rendered with a certain starkness in the monochrome hatching. Curator: Van Everdingen popularized Scandinavian themes in Dutch art. This print reflects the growing interest in representing nature's influence on industry. Editor: The composition has an interesting balance—the detailed foliage versus the simple geometric forms of the mill. And the flowing water gives it a dynamic quality. Curator: Indeed, mills represented progress, but also the potential disruption of the natural world through industrialization. Editor: I see how the interplay between shadow and light creates depth, drawing the eye to the mill itself. It's more than just documentary; it has a visual narrative. Curator: Absolutely, the print underscores the evolving relationship between society and its environment. Editor: A compelling look at how industrial landscapes were starting to be seen.