An artwork on Galleree from Rijksmuseum.
About the artwork
A Windmill on a Polder Waterway, Known as ‘In the Month of July’, Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël, c. 1889h 102cm × w 66cm × d 14cm
Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël
oil on canvas
In the soft embrace of a warm summer's day, Constant Gabriël sat down to write, his heart swelling with affection for his homeland. In a letter filled with passion, he described his country as "colourful, juicy, fat," a vibrant tapestry painted with nature's brush. The sun hung high, casting golden hues on the landscape, and he held firm to the belief that even the gloomiest days could not dull its brilliance. "I repeat," he emphasized with heartfelt certainty, "our country is not dull!"
Against a backdrop of shifting skies, the scene was alive with green grass swaying gently in the breeze, the deep blue heavens reflected in a serene body of water. A windmill stood tall, its sails twisting gracefully, a sentinel of an ever-evolving canvas where nature's colors danced and thrived. In Gabriël's eyes, there was no better moment than this — two realms intertwined, each ripple of the water embodying the laughter of summer, each brushstroke capturing simplicity's harmony.
As he gazed at the landscape, ideas flowed like the ripples in the lake, each one a reminder of the beauty that flourished all around him, waiting to be immortalized in paint and passion. This was the world he adored, one that shimmered in sunshine and suggested joy even in the quiet moments — a world that could never truly fade into dullness.
About the artist
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands. We tell the story of 800 years of Dutch history, from 1200 to now. We showcase over 8,000 works of art, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. In addition, we organize several exhibitions per year from our own collection and with (inter) national loans. In the Rijksmuseum you get to know the greatest works of art down to the smallest details.The artwork posted on this site is through the museum's public domain/CC0 data and does not imply endorsement.
Address: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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