The windmill 

John Linnell created this oil painting, "The Windmill," using traditional art materials. Notice how Linnell's brushstrokes capture the texture of the landscape, from the rough, earthy tones of the fields to the churning clouds above. The windmill itself, a sturdy structure atop a hill, speaks to human intervention in the natural world, harnessing the power of the wind to grind grain into flour. Windmills, although beautiful, speak to the labor and production of the English landscape. These were not just picturesque scenes, but engines of rural industry, integral to the agrarian economy. Linnell’s deliberate use of light and shadow emphasizes the windmill's form, highlighting its importance in the composition. The choice of oil paint allows for a rich layering of colors, capturing the nuances of the landscape, and the material lends itself well to evoking the tactile qualities of earth and sky. By understanding Linnell’s materials and the social context of his subject, we can appreciate the painting beyond its aesthetic appeal, recognizing the labor and industry woven into the very fabric of the landscape.