The Milkmaid (1658) is one of Vermeer’s
early works that portrays a young maid
pouring milk into a bowl. It is the simplicity
of this scene that captivates the viewer.
Bread and a wicker basket cover the table
in front of the girl. Two copper and wicker
baskets and a small frame are the only
objects hanging from the whitewashed walls.
In the lower right corner there is a 17th
century foot warmer set against the tiled
back wall. This setting brings a calm,
tranquil mood to the painting.
