Artwork
A Milk Seller
A Milk Seller is a watercolor work on paper by the Rococo painting artist Thomas Rowlandson. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Milk Seller is a watercolour by Thomas Rowlandson, created in 1780. It is a characteristic example of the artist's observational style, capturing a moment in everyday life.
Subject & Meaning
The watercolour depicts a lively street scene with five figures and a dog, featuring a milk seller handing a drink to a seated customer. The surrounding environment includes a statue of a baby on a pedestal and old, rough-hewn stone buildings.
Technique & Style
Rowlandson's loose, expressive lines convey a sense of movement and energy. The work has a spontaneous, sketch-like quality, suggesting a snapshot of contemporary life rather than a formally composed painting.
History & Provenance
The watercolour is now held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It exemplifies Rowlandson's satirical and observational style, typical of his work as an English caricaturist during the Georgian Era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Rowlandson (; 13 July 1757 – 21 April 1827) was an English artist and caricaturist of the Georgian Era, noted for his political satire and social observation.
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Voyez-vous ma Chère! c'est la police qui fait jouer ces polichinels là, pour détourner l'attention...![[Merchant in his stall with children playing], by Auguste Brouet](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/auguste-brouet--merchant-in-his-stall-with-children-playing--87482c59251c2c9c-w320.webp)
[Merchant in his stall with children playing]
Francois, votre cousin le pompier est venu ...