DAY 175

A PICTURE’S WORTH 1000 200 WORDS

The Milkmaid

JOHANNES VERMEER, C. 1658-1660

In his classic book The Story of Art, E.H. Gombrich describes Jan Vermeer’s paintings as “still lifes with humans.”¹⁹ The Milkmaid (also called The Kitchen Maid) perfectly suits this description. Today, this is one of Vermeer’s most beloved works, and in one significant way The Milkmaid is unlike most of artwork we’ve reflected on so far—it actually enjoyed popular acclaim at the time it was painted.

Part of The Milkmaid’s charm lies in its subject matter. The scene is simple and private. The soft, warm light that falls into the room creates a peaceful atmosphere as the milkmaid quietly goes about her domestic duties. It seems unlikely that the passage of time will alienate any audience from this painting’s inviting character.

Another pleasing quality of The Milkmaid is Vermeer’s photorealistic treatment of the subject. Perhaps it is difficult for us, living in an age of high-definition television and multi-megapixel digital cameras, to fully appreciate the degree of realism in a painting and the skill it requires. Vermeer did, however, work with the aid of a camera obscura (page 36), which contributed to his photorealistic touch. Take a close look at the window, basket, and lamp in the top left corner. Vermeer’s brushstrokes create astonishing detail that enhances the scene’s humble beauty. —DDG