The Mill is the title of Rembrandt’s famous landscape painting commonly known by that name.
The Mill shows a large windmill rising above a dark, atmospheric landscape. Its strong silhouette, dramatic sky, and low viewpoint give the scene an emotional force unusual for a straightforward topographical view. The painting is generally dated to around 1650–1655.
For many years, writers connected the mill with Rembrandt’s family background because his father operated a mill in Leiden. However, there is no firm evidence that the painting depicts that specific family property. The identity and exact setting of the mill remain subjects of scholarly discussion.
The painting was once attributed to other artists by some experts, but it is now widely accepted as a Rembrandt. It entered the collection of the National Gallery in London through the bequest of Hugh Lane in 1917. The Mill is often praised as one of Rembrandt’s most powerful landscapes, even though he is better known for portraits and biblical scenes.