Melkmeid 1793

"Melkmeid," a hand-colored mezzotint by Luigi Schiavonetti, depicts a milkmaid selling her wares in the streets of London. Created in 1793, the print showcases the daily life of working-class Londoners, with the milkmaid and her two young assistants contrasting with the opulence of the nearby architecture. This artwork, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, captures a snapshot of 18th-century London life, emphasizing the role of the humble milkmaid in the city's social fabric. Schiavonetti's meticulous detail brings the scene to life, highlighting the texture of the milk pails, the clothing of the figures, and the cobblestone street.