1865
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Little Milkmaid is a 1865 unspecified by Augustin Théodule Ribot, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
A girl in a simple white apron over a dark dress stands still, holding a bucket by her side. Her light hair is tucked under a cap, and she looks straight ahead with a calm face. Next to her, a small brown-and-white dog sits quietly, while a bundle of sticks leans against her leg. The dark background makes her clothes and the dog stand out clearly. This style of lighting is called *chiaroscuro*—it’s all about strong shadows and bright spots to add depth. Want to see more? Check out chiaroscuro to learn how artists use light and dark.
Members of Ribot's family are the likely models for many of his figure compositions, in which the subjects engage in humble activities, such as preparing meals or gathering in groups to read to each other.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Théodule-Augustin Ribot (French: ; August 8, 1823 – September 11, 1891) was a French realist painter and printmaker.
See the richer artist page
