The old milkmaid 1917

"The Old Milkmaid" (1917) by Russian artist Boris Grigoriev (1886-1939) is a powerful portrait of a woman, likely a peasant, who represents the hardships of the working class. The large, close-up view of the woman's face, with her wrinkled skin and weary expression, emphasizes her age and the toll that labor has taken on her. The painting uses bold colors and expressive brushstrokes, characteristic of Grigoriev's style, which often drew inspiration from folk art and traditional iconography. The cow's eye in the background, seemingly looking at the viewer, adds a layer of symbolism, perhaps representing nature and its cyclical relationship with the woman's life.