The artwork, entitled “Woman with Milk,” is a symbolic and nude painting created by Odd Nerdrum between 1988 and 1993. This piece is part of the Neo-baroque art movement.
The composition features a central female figure standing with a serene and almost stoic demeanor, holding a vessel or object at her midsection. Her exposure, emphasizing the theme of nudity, adds to the serene but intense aura of the painting. The surrounding atmosphere is dark, creating a stark contrast that highlights her presence. Two other figures, bent and seemingly in a state of subjugation or reverence, frame her to the left and right. This arrangement evokes a dramatic and contemplative mood, typical of Nerdrum’s symbolic and evocative style. The background, indistinct and mysterious, merges with the figures, drawing attention to the nuanced play of light and shadow that adds depth to the artwork.
