Skip to Main Content

Dutch Windmills

Delftware is a form of Dutch pottery that often features images associated with the Netherlands such as the iconic windmill. Students will explore this artform and learn some windmill facts.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Heavy Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Delft pottery, or Delftware, is a type of tin-glazed pottery that is usually blue and white that originated around 1600. The Dutch city of Delft is the major center of production. Have students explore the technique of making Delftware and view images of some typical pottery, which includes plates and other tableware, decorative items, and tiles.

  • Step 2

    Have students learn about how windmills function and are used. For example, they were originally used to grind grains and now they are used as a source of energy. In fact, about half of the Netherlands' renewable energy comes from windmills. Also, they were used as a form of communication. The position of the blades could transmit a message about the miller's family, and during WWI, the blades' position might indicate a warning.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create a Delft design. They can begin by tracing a large circle on heavy white paper. Or, if they want to design a tile, they can draw a large square. Have them decorate the circle or square using the traditional shades of blue that are used in Delftware. When the design is done, ask them to cut out the circle or square.

  • Step 4

    Display the images on a bulletin board in the style of an art museum exhibition.

Standards

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art.

SCI: Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment.

Adaptations

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was considered one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age, which roughly spanned the 17th century. He was from Delft, and one of his most well-known paintings is "View of Delft." Have students view an image of this work as well as works by other masters of the Dutch Golden Age such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals Jan Lievens, etc.

The village of Kinderdijk is an area in the southern Netherlands noted for its beautiful windmills. Have students investigate the history of this region, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. How are the windmills used to keep the region dry? Why are they a UNESCO site? Who lives in the windmills?