Landscape with a milkmaid near the river Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691)

The composition presents a pastoral scene centered around a young woman engaged in milking a large cow near a body of water. The artist has arranged elements to create a sense of depth and tranquility. A low grassy bank dominates the foreground, populated by tangled vegetation that leads the eye towards the central figures.
Here we see the milkmaid, dressed in modest attire – a red bodice and dark skirt – and wearing a wide-brimmed hat that casts shadows on her face. Her posture is focused; she leans into the task of milking, her hand steady against the cow’s flank. A small white goat rests peacefully at her feet, adding to the overall feeling of domesticity and rural harmony.
The substantial presence of the cow itself commands attention. Its reddish-brown coloring contrasts with the green landscape and the womans clothing, drawing the viewers gaze. The animal appears well-fed and healthy, suggesting a prosperous agricultural setting. Behind them, a figure – presumably a young boy – can be discerned in the distance, standing near additional livestock grazing on a higher bank.
The river or waterway stretches into the background, reflecting the pale sky above. A scattering of birds flies across this expanse, adding a sense of movement and openness to the scene. The horizon line is relatively low, emphasizing the breadth of the landscape and contributing to an atmosphere of spaciousness.
Subtleties within the painting suggest more than just a depiction of daily rural life. The careful rendering of light and shadow creates a palpable realism, while the deliberate placement of figures and animals evokes a sense of order and balance. Theres a quiet dignity in the milkmaid’s labor; she is not presented as an object of pity or romanticization, but rather as a participant in a natural cycle. The overall impression is one of contentment and self-sufficiency – a celebration of the simple rhythms of rural existence. The inclusion of the boy in the distance hints at continuity and the passing down of traditions.