Meindert Hobbema
Dutch, 1638­1709
The Watermill with the Great Red Roof
c. 1670
Oil on canvas
81.3 x 110 cm
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Logan, 1894.1031

This artist’s specialty was painting scenes of the countryside in the Netherlands, where he lived. He particularly liked to paint old mills in a wooded setting.

Here, the water that streams down from the mill is transparent. The still water below the mill reflects the landscape above. Effects such as these are challenging for a painter and Hobbema created them with great skill. Can you find the people in this scene? Why do you think they are so small?