The Milkmaid - Johannes Vermeer

As is often the case in the work of Johannes Vermeer, this painting is a genre scene. The milkmaid, maternal and nurturing, is concentrated on her task. Yellow and blue are in the foreground, carefully lit by the window, the only source of light in the composition. The elements on the table alone constitute a real still life within the painting. The artist plays with light and shadow to embellish his famous painting with minute, realistic details. Along with the Girl with a Pearl Earring, this is one of the artist's best-known works.
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The artwork in a nutshell
As is often the case in the work of Johannes Vermeer, this painting is a genre scene. The milkmaid, maternal and nurturing, is concentrated on her task. Yellow and blue are in the foreground, carefully lit by the window, the only source of light in the composition. The elements on the table alone constitute a real still life within the painting. The artist plays with light and shadow to embellish his famous painting with minute, realistic details. Along with the Girl with a Pearl Earring, this is one of the artist's best-known works.
Would you like to buy another painting by Johannes Vermeer? Discover all our reproductions of this artist.
Compare with the original
Reproduction of The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer

