Maris, Jacob – Molen bij maanlicht, 1899 Rijksmuseum: part 3

The canvas presents a nocturnal scene dominated by a tall windmill rising from a low-lying landscape. The composition is structured around this central element, which commands attention through its height and placement slightly off-center. A diffuse light source, presumably the moon, illuminates the sky, creating a hazy atmosphere that softens the edges of forms and reduces contrast.
The artist employed a palette largely restricted to cool tones – grays, blues, and greens – which contribute to the overall sense of quietude and melancholy. The brushwork is loose and expressive; short, broken strokes build up texture and suggest movement in both the sky and the vegetation. This technique lends an immediacy to the scene, as if captured quickly under the influence of the moonlight.
In the foreground, a solitary figure stands near a muddy path, facing away from the viewer. The small scale of this individual emphasizes the vastness of the landscape and perhaps suggests a sense of isolation or contemplation. A cluster of trees and low buildings are visible in the distance, rendered with minimal detail, further reinforcing the feeling of expansiveness.
The windmill itself is depicted with a degree of realism, but its form is softened by the atmospheric perspective. The sails appear to be still, adding to the stillness of the scene. The artist’s choice to depict this structure – a symbol often associated with industry and rural life – under the cover of night introduces an element of mystery.
Subtly, the painting evokes a mood of introspection. The subdued lighting, the solitary figure, and the quiet grandeur of the windmill all contribute to a sense of solitude and reflection. It is not merely a depiction of a landscape; it seems to explore themes of human presence within nature, and the passage of time under the watchful gaze of the moon.