The Milkmaid by Jan Johannes Vermeer
The Milkmaid, sometimes also »The Kitchen Maid« is a painting by the Dutch painter and artist Johannes (Jan) Vermeer. The painting was executed as oil on canvas, having the dimensions 45,5x 41 cm, i.e. 17⅞ in × 16⅛ in and as with most of Vermeer’s paintings – we do not know exactly when the Milkmaid has been executed. However, most estimates date it back to the range of 1658 to 1660.
The Milkmaid has been one of the most appreciated paintings in Vermeer’s legacy. This holds true even for the 17th century: In an auction hold after the early death of Vermeer, the painting was sold for 175 Gulden, quite a sum at those days of economic downturn, when many other Vermeer’s had to be sold under value. Just for a comparison: The Girl with the Pearl Earring was auctioned for 2 Gulden and thirty cents in 1881.
Description
The Dutch for the painting is De Melkmeid or Het Melkmeisj, both terms mean exactly Mildmaid (women melking the cows on a farm), yet we see rather a domestic kitchen maid, i.e. servant in charge with kitchen work. She is pouring milk in a special bowl known also as »Dutch oven« on a table. The low social status can not be concluded only from the women’s simple clothingand her cap.
X-ray examinations of the Milkmaid also revealed that Vermeer initially intended to draw a map on the wall in the background. But he obviously preferred to keep the wall as simple and spartan as the rest of the kitchen, being marked even with some holes, which again underline the poor conditions the woman is working in.
Yet, the colors of the clothing are strong and bright, which are so typical for Johannes Vermeer. They feature a contrasting yellow and blue; as well as a strong red. Thus, the attention of the viewer is immediately attracted by the working maid, who stands in a soft light entering the window. In combination with her very concentration, rather resembling a kind of contemplation, this gives the painting a somewhat mystic, maybe tender atmosphere, which is ultimately reconfirmed by the slight smile of the maid. Maybe a discreet allusion to the reputation of milk and kitchen maids at those times: being rather prone for tender and erotic activities.
Exposition
Today, more precisely since 1908, you can admire The Milkmaid at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which holds also three other Vermeer paintings: Namely: The little Street, Woman in Blue Reading a Letter and The Love Letter.
