windmill with platform by John van Liempt

About "windmill with platform"

by John van Liempt

About the artwork

A post mill is a type of windmill where the entire structure is mounted on a large rotating post, allowing the upper part of the mill, including the sails or blades, to be turned to face the wind. This rotation is typically achieved by a windmill operator who adjusts the position using a tailpole or a similar mechanism.

The distinguishing feature of a post mill is its platform or staging (known as the "stelling" in Dutch), which is a raised wooden or stone platform surrounding the mill’s tower. The platform provides access to the top of the mill and allows the miller to operate and maintain the sails. The windmill's main body is often constructed of wood, with the sails attached to the rotating cap at the top.

Post mills were commonly used in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe for tasks such as grinding grain, pumping water, and sometimes even for processing oil or other materials. These mills were often built on elevated ground or hills to catch the wind more effectively.

Post mills are known for their distinctive appearance, with a tall, sometimes cylindrical, body and a rotating head that can be turned to optimize the wind. While less common today, many historic post mills have been preserved as important cultural landmarks.Traditional scaffold wind turbine, built to capture extra wind, seen through vista of leafy greens, from a high frog perspective.