Jim Butcher (American, B. 1944) "Winter Mischief" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media on Illustration Board.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 15c Cape Cod Windmill stamp issued February 7, 1980.

Whirling wildly or stopping completely when not driven by the declining breeze, windmills always obey the wind. About 644 A.D. Persian millwrights discovered the power generated by attaching sails to center posts that were twirled around by the wind. Modern windmills, intricately designed and usually made of newer materials, are still based on these original principles of harnessing wind power. As successors of the ancient Persian windmills, America's mills were first built in the colonies by the Puritans. Perhaps the oldest mill on Cape Cod, the Eastham Mill, best represents these original Puritan structures. Built sometime before 1793, its style, traditionally found in the Netherlands, was once common among the mills that dotted the Atlantic coast during this country's early history. Hundreds of these mills once pumped ocean water into storage vats to extract the salt. But, once salt deposits were found inland, the process was abandoned as primitive, and the mills were allowed to decay. The years of work and wear soon took their toll on the neglected mills and, of those that actually pumped water to extract salt, not one is left standing. The Cape Cod Windmill depicted on this artwork represents those working mills. Its sails seem to recall the days when wind awakened them and rumbled their revolving wheels. And, although it has not operated for many years, it is a testimony to its miller's careful management, a respected trade that was often passed down for several generations.

Image Size: 22.5 x 17.5 in.
Overall Size: 28.5 x 23.5 in.
Unframed.
(B05999)

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28.5 x 23.5 in