Melkmeisje in koeienstal c. 1850 - 1913

G.J. Witteveen made this etching of a milkmaid in a cowshed, the 'Melkmeisje in koeienstal', at an unknown date. This image captures a scene of rural labor, but it also tells us about the social and economic life of its time. We can consider how class structures influenced the roles of women in agricultural labor and the depiction of labor in art. The details in the cowshed and the milkmaid's attire suggest a specific historical and cultural context, likely in the Netherlands, but further research is needed to confirm. By examining sources such as historical documents, economic reports, and studies of rural life, we can better understand the realities of labor and class in the culture that produced this artwork.