Artwork
The Milkmaid's Garland, or Humours of May Day
The Milkmaid's Garland, or Humours of May Day is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Francis Hayman. It dates from 1742 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Milkmaid's Garland, or Humours of May Day is an oil painting by Francis Hayman, created as part of a large decorative commission for Vauxhall Gardens.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a May Day scene, featuring a milkmaid's garland, a traditional custom where milkmaids would dance and collect donations, and chimney-sweeps beating their brushes and shovels.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by bright, clear colors and a sunlit garden setting, with figures dressed in contemporary attire, including a woman in white gathering flowers and men in suits observing her.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Jonathan Tyers, the entrepreneur behind Vauxhall Gardens, the painting was one of fifty designed to adorn supper boxes, dropping down to enclose diners at night.
Context
The painting reflects the cultural and social context of 18th-century London, capturing traditional May Day customs and the fashionable atmosphere of Vauxhall Gardens.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Hayman liked to paint everyday life. He often depicted people having fun, like in "Country Dances Round a Maypole". What's interesting is that his works were sometimes used as decorations, like the supper-box…
