Jim Butcher: Danish Windmill

Artist: Jim Butcher
1944 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 17.5 by 22.5 inches
Overall Size: 23.5 by 28.5 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Cold Press Illustration Board

Straight from the enchanted land of Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tales, a Danish windmill lends European charm to the California countryside. Today, walking the streets of Solvang, California, is almost a magic journey back to the land of the Danes. Among the tiled and half-timbered sturdiness of the Danish architecture evident throughout Solvang, four windmills still reflect the original beauty of the town. Captured by a gentle California breeze, the windmills' revolving sails turn lazily. But, when prodded by gale force winds, the twirling blades have been known to end up in the village streets. The Danish windmill depicted on this artwork was constructed about 1956 by a Danish craftsman determined to recreate a bit of his homeland. The style, common throughout Denmark, evolved from ancient mills originally called stub mills. These old-style wind-catchers supported rounded tops that resembled the stubs of trimmed trees. As the Danes discovered the power of the wind, they expanded their mills, adding rotating caps and enlarging the millhouses, until windmills, similar to those in Solvang, appeared throughout the countryside. To them, harnessing the power of the wind is a long-respected national tradition and it was part of the spirit of self-sufficiency they brought with them to America.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Combination Cover for the U.S. 15¢ Windmill Booklet stamps issued February 7, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06001

US$ Price: $2,500.00

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