The artwork “Molen (Mill); Mill in Sunlight” is a striking example of the Neo-Impressionism movement, completed by the renowned artist Piet Mondrian in 1908. This oil on canvas measures 114 by 87 centimeters and is considered a cityscape genre. The vibrant and dynamic painting was created in Le Pouldu, France, and is currently housed at the Gemeentemuseum den Haag in The Hague, Netherlands.
The artwork captures a mill, bathed in bright sunlight that seems to illuminate the scene with a golden glow. The mill, which is the focal point of the work, is portrayed with boldly applied strokes of red, creating a strong contrast against the predominantly yellow and blue background. The blue sky is rendered with a patchwork of varying tones, suggesting the nuanced play of light. Notably, the canvas teems with energetic brushstrokes, indicative of Mondrian’s exploration of color and light, which are characteristic of the Neo-Impressionist approach to art.
Beyond its sunny facade, the painting also features reflections in water at the base of the mill, depicted with more muted colors that intertwine with the vibrant yellows of the mill’s surroundings. The artwork displays an enthusiasm for capturing the interplay between natural elements and human-made structures, offering a scene that is at once rooted in reality and interpreted through the artist’s emotive and color-rich lens.
