A Turkish Mill, Chikoey, or River Village
1841
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
About the artist
Artist
William James Müller
William James Müller (1800–1850) was an artist.
See the richer artist page1841
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
A Turkish Mill, Chikoey, or River Village is a 1841 watercolor by William James Müller, a Orientalism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows the interior of a mill, with a large wooden structure in the center. The room is dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight peeking through the windows. In the background, a man is sitting on the floor, while another man is standing behind the wooden structure. The painting has a warm, earthy tone, with shades of brown and beige dominating the palette. The brushstrokes are loose and expressive, giving the scene a sense of movement and energy. The artist's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene. For more on the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up Müller, William James.
A watercolour by William James Müller depicts three men seated and working inside a small wooden Turkish mill, with the title inscribed on the work. The title includes the alternative phrase "or River Village," indicating that "Chikoey" likely refers phonetically to Çayköy, a village near Kaş in Türkiye. The term Çayköy translates to "river village," combining "çay" (stream or small river) and "köy" (village). Müller’s inscription suggests a connection to the region, where he also painted nearby historical sites such as Xanthus and Tlos.
Read the full account in the museum source.
William James Müller (1800–1850) was an artist.
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