A beautiful twilight snowfall blankets the historic Breck's Mill in this picturesque winter landscape. The moonlit sky and the illuminated windows, reflected in the gentle waters of the Brandywine, offer a warm welcome on a chilly winter evening. In this watercolor painting, Santoleri's realistic style highlights the classic stonework of the mill, as well as the charm of the country scene.
Breck's Mill, situated on the banks of the Brandywine, is a historic mill located in New Castle County, DE. Built in 1814 as a cotton spinning mill, it was purchased by William Breck in 1835, and became known as Breck's Mill. The interior of the mill was damaged by fire in 1848, but was quickly rebuilt. Over the years, ownership of the mill changed hands a number of times, finally being donated to the Hagley Foundation in 1970. The mill has gone through a number of transformations from cotton mill, to woolen mill, to recreation center, to Hagley Community House.
The original watercolor painting was commissioned by PNC Bank Delaware and reproduced as their 2005 holiday print.