The Milkmaid, Jan Vermeer (1658-1660)

The Milkmaid, by Vermeer, is perhaps one of the most beautiful paintings I have ever personally seen. Through the simplistic setting, the painting suggests that the maid is making bread pudding, and through the depiction of careful cooking the artist presents a scene of both ethical and social value. The artist lends an “impression of monumentality” and even a sense of dignity by choosing “a relatively low vantage point and a pyramidal building up of forms from the left foreground to the women’s head, focusing the attention of the viewer on the pouring of the milk.” The focus on the humble woman’s hard work, to transform common ingredients into a pleasurable yet unique meal, displays one of the strongest values held in the 17th-century Netherlands. Raquel Laneri wrote, “In the end, it is not the allusions to female sexuality that give this painting its romance or emotional resonance - it is the depiction of honest, hard work as something romantic in and of itself, also elevating the drudgery of housework and servitude to virtuous, even heroic, levels.” (“Johannes Vermeer”)

Considering the simple setting and theme of The Milkmaid, and also considering the social and ethical implications representing important ideals of a time period, one can start to see the connection to the title of this blog. This painting shows a seamless integration of complexity among simplicity, in both an artistic and historical sense. The Milkmaid is a depiction of a simple, rustic woman, yet utilizes perspective and realism; the painting also has social implications behind a very simple, and serene setting.