Jacob Maris – Three Windmills Part 4 National Gallery UK

The canvas presents a nocturnal scene dominated by three windmills set against a turbulent sky. The central windmill commands attention through its size and placement; it rises prominently from a low-lying landscape, its dark silhouette sharply contrasting with the lighter tones of the overcast heavens. Two smaller windmills are positioned further back, receding into the atmospheric perspective and contributing to a sense of depth within the composition.
The artist employed a muted palette, primarily consisting of browns, grays, and blacks, which reinforces the somber mood. The sky is rendered in agitated brushstrokes, suggesting an impending storm or a palpable tension in the atmosphere. Light appears diffused, emanating from behind the clouds rather than directly illuminating the scene. This creates a pervasive sense of gloom and mystery.
Below the windmills, a body of water reflects the forms above, doubling their presence and adding to the overall feeling of stillness and quietude. The reflections are not precise copies but rather blurred and distorted, hinting at the movement of the water and further softening the edges of the scene. A small embankment or path is visible in the foreground, leading towards the windmills, though it remains largely indistinct.
The painting evokes a sense of melancholy and solitude. The absence of human figures amplifies this feeling; the windmills stand as silent sentinels within an expansive, almost desolate landscape. There’s a suggestion of industry – these are working mills – but their activity is muted, overshadowed by the overwhelming presence of natures power.
The composition seems to explore themes of transience and the passage of time. The weathered appearance of the windmills, combined with the brooding sky, suggests a history etched into the landscape. It’s not merely a depiction of a place but an evocation of a mood – one of quiet contemplation and perhaps a subtle awareness of the forces that shape human existence within the natural world.