The Milkmaid Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)

Description of Jan Vermeer’s painting The Milk Woman

Jan Vermeer’s painting "The Milk Woman" cannot leave the fine connoisseur of art indifferent. On the one hand it is an ordinary captured scene from real life. A girl is pouring milk into a bowl.

It would seem that there is nothing wrong with it. But the way the artist has presented it on the canvas - quite another matter. The bright colors, which are present on almost every element of the woman’s clothing, make you turn your eyes to her. It is also worth noting that every item is marked by the artist. The clear contours of every detail on them, every speck on the wall allow for a better study of the environment around the milkwoman.

Her body curves are perfectly traced, and the artist also paid considerable attention to the woman’s facial expressions. You can see her carefully pouring the liquid from the jug into the bowl. If not for her headdress, one would assume that she is doing her best for her housemates. But the maid’s headscarf speaks volumes. Also her social status is emphasized by the rolled up sleeves and apron.

On the table there are also baked goods. Various shapes of buns and bagels lie on a tray, which, in all likelihood, will soon be served. Nearby in a basket is a loaf of rye bread. Also on the table is a jug of interesting workmanship. Unlike the clay jug the milkmaid holds in her hand, this one is richly patterned and has a special lid. What is in it is anyone’s guess. But the obscurity adds up to different guesses. Maybe it’s just butter, or maybe it’s jam that will be served with the scones.

On the floor we see a brown square object. Judging by the holes on top of it, it’s a miniature stove from those times. The question arises by itself - is such a tiny thing really capable of heating a whole room? Of course not. The little stove on the floor is only a reminder of the difficult conditions in which women had to work.