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The Milkmaid
  • Artist Lucas van Leyden (Netherlandish, ca 1494 - 1533)
  • TitleThe Milkmaid
  • Dating 1510
  • Technique/MaterialCopper engraving on paper
  • Dimensions11,7 x 15,6 cm
  • AcquisitionGift of Oscar Quensel, 1911
  • CategoryCopper Engraving
  • Inventory NumberG Q 212/1911
  • Display StatusNot shown in the museum
Description
Signatures etc.
Exhibition History
At first glance, van Leyden’s famous engraving The Milkmaid looks like a realistic depiction of the countryside in the Netherlands in the 16th century. Even though the cows make up the centre of the composition, the milkmaid is the main character. Van Leyden created several prints on the theme of relationships, among them The Milkmaid.

Van Leyden’s work is often characterised as having narrative and entertaining qualities. The Dutch word “melken”, to milk, also had the popular meaning to attract, or to tempt. For 16th century viewers, the image was probably interpreted as a reference to courtship, a message which is not as evident to the public today.