The Milkmaid, Lucas Huygensz van Leyden | Mia

The Milkmaid, Lucas Huygensz van Leyden — The Milkmaid, 1510
Lucas Huygensz van Leyden
Engraving
Bequest of Herschel V. Jones P.68.270
Not on View
Traditionally, Lucas's The Milkmaid was hailed as one of the first pure, genre subjects in northern European art. Superficially, the shepherd and milkmaid are performing the mundane chores of rural, daily life. However, in subsequent scholarship, erotic overtones have been suggested --specifically, an allegory of lust and free will. The basis of this thesis is the word melkan (to milk) in 16th century Dutch connoted lokken (to lure). Lustful intent has been perceived in the poses and costumes of the figures, landscape details, and prominently placed cattle.

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Details

Title: The Milkmaid
Dated: 1510
Artist: Lucas Huygensz van Leyden
Nationality: Dutch
Artist Life: c. 1490 - 1533
Role: Artist
Gallery: Not on View
Department: European Art
Dimension: 4 1/2 x 6 1/8 in. (11.43 x 15.56 cm) (image)
Credit: Bequest of Herschel V. Jones
Accession Number: P.68.270
Medium: Engraving
Country: Netherlands
Century: 16th century
Provenance: Unidentified signature, 1926
Rights: Public Domain
Classification: Prints
Catalogue Raisonne: Holl.158; B.158
Wikipedia: Cite this information
Metadata: Click here to see the machine readable JSON data that underpins this page.
Curator Approved: This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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