Who painted Milking Scene?

Milking Scene was painted by Unknown in 1650.

Where can I see Milking Scene?

Milking Scene is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Milking Scene

Milking Scene is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Milking Scene, attributed to the artist known as 2043_person and dated to around 1650, is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The image captures a tranquil rural moment, featuring two figures beside a modest pond, a bucket, and a stick, with three cows grazing nearby under an overcast sky.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a quotidian activity: one figure appears to be milking a cow, while the other supports the task with a stick. The presence of a thatched-roof house and sparse trees situates the scene within a pastoral setting, emphasizing the routine labor and quiet rhythm of agrarian life.

Technique & Style

The work employs chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model forms and suggest depth. The subdued lighting highlights the figures and animals against the muted background, while the soft gradations convey the atmospheric, overcast conditions of the landscape.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1650, the piece has been retained within the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings, where it serves as an example of mid‑seventeenth‑century visual documentation of everyday rural practices. Its attribution to 2043_person remains based on stylistic analysis and archival records.

Context

During the mid‑1600s, depictions of agricultural labor were common in both European and colonial visual cultures, reflecting societal interest in documenting productive activities. The image aligns with this tradition, offering insight into the tools, architecture, and livestock typical of the period’s countryside.