Windmill in the Gein - Piet Mondrian

A moody, atmospheric depiction of a Dutch windmill by the Gein river, painted in the expressive, painterly style of Mondrian's early career.

Before his transition to the geometric abstraction for which he is widely recognised, Piet Mondrian produced a series of works depicting the Dutch countryside. This painting, Windmill in the Gein, captures the rural area along the Gein river near Amsterdam. The composition focuses on the silhouette of a traditional windmill, rendered with heavy, expressive brushwork that prioritises atmosphere over precise detail. The palette is dominated by earthy tones, including deep browns, ochres, and muted greens, which contrast with the turbulent, cloud-filled sky. Mondrian employs a loose, painterly technique that reflects the influence of the Hague School and the broader European interest in capturing the fleeting effects of light and weather. The reflection of the light on the water in the foreground provides a horizontal anchor to the vertical structure of the mill, creating a balanced, contemplative scene. This work belongs to a period where Mondrian explored the expressive potential of colour and form within a representational framework. The heavy application of paint and the focus on the interplay between the dark structure of the mill and the expansive sky demonstrate his early interest in the structural qualities of nature. It offers a view into the artist's formative years, showing how he engaged with the traditions of Dutch painting before his eventual move towards the reduction of form into primary colours and grids. The print captures the texture of the original oil application, preserving the tactile quality of the brushstrokes and the sombre, moody atmosphere of the Dutch riverbank.