Artwork
La laitiere
La laitiere is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jean Charles Levasseur. It dates from 1783 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La laitiere is an 18th-century print created by Jean Charles Levasseur in 1783, utilizing etching and engraving techniques. The work depicts a serene rural scene featuring a woman interacting with a horse.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, possibly a milkmaid as suggested by the title, is portrayed in a simple, draped dress and bonnet, conveying a sense of everyday rural life. Her pose, with an arm on the horse’s neck, implies a moment of quiet interaction. A bundle of sticks behind her and a faint sky complete the subdued scene.
Technique & Style
Levasseur employed etching and engraving to achieve detailed textures and shading, evident in the fabric folds of the woman’s dress and the muscular definition of the horse. These techniques allowed for expressive rendering of the subject.
History & Provenance
Created in 1783, specific details about the print’s history and ownership prior to its current location are not provided.
Context
La laitiere reflects late 18th-century interests in depiction of common life and rural themes. The choice of a potentially working-class subject, like a milkmaid, aligns with emerging appreciations for the everyday in art.
Artist & collection
