The artwork titled “Landscape with a Woodcutter and Milkmaid,” created by Thomas Gainsborough in 1755, is an oil painting on canvas. This piece, belonging to the Rococo art movement, measures 106 x 128 cm and falls under the genre of landscape painting. Currently, the painting is housed in a private collection.
The scene depicted in the artwork is a tranquil pastoral landscape. Dominating the foreground are a woodcutter and a milkmaid situated beside an ancient, gnarled tree. The woodcutter is rendered in a moment of respite, interacting with the milkmaid, who is seated with a pail at her feet. A white cow stands placidly near them, contributing to the bucolic ambiance. The use of soft, warm light suffuses the canvas, imbuing the scene with a serene, almost idyllic quality. In the background, rolling hills and distant figures of cattle and oxen enhance the expansive and peaceful rural setting. Gainsborough’s mastery in capturing the essence of the countryside is evident through the delicate interplay of light, shadow, and the meticulous attention to the natural details.
