A graphite drawing by Anthonie van Teijn depicting a canal scene along the Middenweg, featuring the De Bijl windmill.

This graphite drawing by Anthonie van Teijn captures a quiet, rural scene along the Middenweg, featuring the distinctive silhouette of the windmill known as De Bijl. Van Teijn, a Dutch artist active during the nineteenth century, often documented the changing topography of the Netherlands. His work provides a record of structures and waterways that have since been altered by urban expansion.

The composition focuses on the bridge crossing the canal, with the windmill positioned in the distance. The artist employs soft, gestural lines to define the wooden structures and the reflective surface of the water. The drawing relies on a restrained use of tone, allowing the texture of the paper to contribute to the overall atmosphere of the scene. The inclusion of the bridge and the surrounding buildings suggests a preoccupation with the intersection of human industry and the natural environment.

Van Teijn’s approach to this subject is observational. He avoids excessive detail, preferring to capture the essential geometry of the buildings and the horizontal flow of the canal. The drawing functions as a visual note, preserving a specific moment in the history of the Middenweg. The presence of the windmill, a common feature in Dutch art of this period, anchors the composition and provides a sense of scale against the low-lying horizon. This piece is a representative example of the topographical studies produced by artists who sought to document the character of the Dutch countryside before the onset of rapid industrialisation.