A Windmill by a River
- Artist: Jan van Goyen
- Date: 1642
- Medium: oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
"A Windmill by a River" by Jan van Goyen. Painted in 1642, this work is an excellent example of the Dutch master's ability to capture the atmosphere and mood of the landscape.
Note how the horizon is low, and the sky vast, with just a few birds wheeling in the towering clouds. The brushstrokes in the sky are bold and expressive, sweeping downwards to convey the sense of rain moving in across the landscape. In the distance, the windmill stands watch over the scene, its sails fragile but indomitable.
The tiny figures close by seem lost in their own worlds, faceless and turned away from us. They're engaged in everyday activities - one is hefting a heavy weight, while another plods placidly on horseback. On the left, near the water's edge, there's a rustle of life as small figures dig for bait or tend to their boats.
The painting's restricted colour palette - mainly browns, whites, and greys with touches of green and ochre - adds to its sense of calm and tranquility. Van Goyen was a master of capturing the atmosphere of the Dutch countryside, and this work is a prime example of his skill.
See it in person
A Windmill by a River hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
