The artwork titled “The Mill,” created by Rembrandt in 1645, is an example of the Baroque era’s landscape genre executed in oil on panel/canvas. Measuring 88 x 106 cm, this piece of art is presently housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, United States.
“The Mill” by Rembrandt is renowned for its dramatic illumination and atmospheric effects that are characteristic of the Baroque period. The landscape is depicted with a mood of grandeur and emotion, focusing on the central feature: a windmill perched atop a promontory. The mill, standing against a turbulent sky, becomes an imposing silhouette. The composition effectively captures the play of light and shadow, with the sky rendered in swirling tones of dark clouds, offset against some brighter, luminescent areas, suggesting a setting or rising sun. Below, the land unfolds quietly with soft and subtle details. Figures can be seen in the lower part of the artwork, adding a human element to the scene and providing a sense of scale. The reflection of the mill on the water’s surface adds a tranquil touch to the otherwise dynamic and evocative landscape, highlighting Rembrandt’s mastery of creating scenes that are both timeless and emotionally resonant.
