Artwork
Rustic Scene with Woman Milking
Rustic Scene with Woman Milking is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jan van Gool. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created circa 1750, this oil painting portrays a tranquil rural tableau in which a woman milks a light‑brown cow beneath a solitary tree.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1750, this oil painting portrays a tranquil rural tableau in which a woman milks a light‑brown cow beneath a solitary tree. A child watches nearby while sheep, goats, and two dogs occupy the surrounding pasture. The composition is bathed in a soft, bright light, with gentle greens in the foliage and a calm sky that emphasizes the peacefulness of everyday farm life.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on ordinary agrarian activity, highlighting the relationship between humans and livestock. The central figure, a modestly dressed woman, engages in the routine task of milking, while the attentive child suggests the transmission of domestic skills across generations. The presence of grazing animals and resting dogs reinforces a harmonious, self‑sufficient countryside setting.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Rococo manner, the painting employs light, feathery brushstrokes that lend a decorative quality to the foliage and sky. Van Gool renders the textures of animal fur and the woman's simple garments with careful detail, balancing fine observation with the era’s characteristic softness and elegance.
History & Provenance
The canvas was painted by Johan van Gool, a Dutch artist from The Hague who later gained recognition as an art biographer. After remaining in private hands for some time, the painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held and displayed as part of the museum’s Dutch 18th‑century holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Johan, or Jan van Gool (1685–1763), was a Dutch painter and writer from The Hague, now remembered mainly as a biographer of artists from the Dutch Golden Age.
