Blank notepad A6, Vermeer, Milk maid
NBNW000011Postcards, Vermeer, Milk maid
CPOW000128Postcard, 10 x 15 cm, View of Delft, Vermeer
CPOW000122Softcover Book A5 , Vermeer, The Milkmaid
NSBW000079Set of 3 round magnets, Vermeer
MESW000006Mouse pad, Milkmaid, Vermeer
WMOW000013Masters-on-wood, Vermeer, View on Delft
RMOW000004Masters-on-wood, Milkmaid, Vermeer
RMOW000002Artist Journal, Milkmaid Vermeer
NSAW000004Set: Mug & tray, Milkmaid, Vermeer
GSWS000030Keyring, Metal gold, SQ, Milkmaid Vermeer
AKMW000004Ballpen in box , Vermeer, The Milkmaid
WPBW000006Tea spoon, Vermeer, Milkmaid
ATSW000002Espresso set, Vermeer, Milkmaid, Rijksmuseum
HESW000004Keyring, Metal gold, RT, Milkmaid Vermeer
AKMW000006
The Milkmaid (ca. 1660) is one of the most famous paintings painted by Johannes Vermeer. This painting shows a simple maid, recognizable by her simple clothing and headscarf, pouring milk into a jug, giving it the name "The Milkmaid". Vermeer turned this everyday act into a beautiful work of art.
The composition
In the painting the milkmaid stands in the center of a room with a window to her left through which light enters. To her left is a table with a cloth, on which various objects can be seen, such as a wicker basket with bread, a jug, a bowl and a copper pot. Her attention is focused on the bowl into which she pours the milk. Apart from the milk jet, everything seems to stand still in the painting. On the right side of the sparsely furnished room is a stove. The history of the room is suggested by the wall behind the milkmaid, with visible holes and a protruding nail.
Clothing
Vermeer uses primary colors for the clothing: red for the underskirt, blue for the upper skirt and yellow for the vest. Maids often wore blue skirts, because stains were less visible on blue skirts. Upper arms received no sun and therefore remained white; forearms are bluish-red: arms of a working woman who is scrubbing and cleaning.
The painting can be admired in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
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