Artwork
Landscape with Cattle, the Shepherdess Milking the Cow
Landscape with Cattle, the Shepherdess Milking the Cow is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Heinrich Roos. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Johann Heinrich Roos painted Landscape with Cattle, the Shepherdess Milking the Cow in 1753. The work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. It presents a tranquil rural scene in which a shepherdess kneels beside a cow while another woman watches a baby, all set against a softly rendered countryside.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on everyday agrarian life, emphasizing the intimate relationship between humans and livestock. The shepherdess’s act of milking the cow suggests nourishment and sustenance, while the presence of a mother and infant underscores themes of family and continuity within a pastoral setting.
Technique & Style
Roos employs a balanced palette of warm earth tones and cooler background hues, creating a naturalistic atmosphere. Gentle brushwork conveys the texture of trees and rolling hills, while chiaroscuro, strong light‑dark contrasts, adds depth, modeling the figures and animal with a three‑dimensional presence.
History & Provenance
Completed in the mid‑18th century, the painting entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s later period, reflecting Roos’s mature approach to landscape and genre subjects.
Artist & collection
