Melkmeid 1768 - 1796

"Melkmeid" (Milkmaid), a drawing by Pieter de Mare (1758-1796), depicts a woman milking a cow. The work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, features a detailed portrayal of the scene, showcasing the cow, the woman, and a sheep resting in the foreground. The drawing is notable for its meticulous rendering of the figures and the surrounding landscape, indicative of De Mare's mastery of the genre of animal studies. The composition, characterized by its realism and attention to detail, reflects a popular subject matter in Dutch art, highlighting the importance of agriculture in daily life.