View of the Diemerdijk with a milkman and cottages ('Het melkboertje') 1781 - 1836

"View of the Diemerdijk with a milkman and cottages ('Het melkboertje')" is a drawing created between 1781 and 1836 by the English artist William Young Ottley (1771-1836). The artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a charming rural landscape with a milkman in the foreground. The scene, likely in the Netherlands, emphasizes the picturesque charm of the Dutch countryside, capturing a moment of daily life in the 18th or 19th century. The delicate, detailed rendering of the cottages, trees, and the milkman's cart showcases Ottley's skill in capturing the beauty of everyday moments. This small-scale work, measuring just 63 mm in height and 172 mm in width, epitomizes the romantic sensibilities of the era.