Young Milkmaid 1737

"Young Milkmaid" is an etching by French artist Anne Claude Philippe Caylus, created in 1737. The print, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a young woman carrying a large milk jug on her head and a basket on her arm. The etching's meticulous detail and the realistic portrayal of the milkmaid’s working-class attire contribute to its timeless appeal and offer a glimpse into 18th-century French life. Caylus, known for his contributions to the revival of printmaking, used the etching technique to create a nuanced and engaging image of a humble subject.