Imagine a 17th century room filled with reverberating screams of infants and a father lackadaisically lying on a couch ignoring the cries. The only action present is that of the milkmaid who is hastily working to prepare food and milk for the family. The year is 1885; imagine a vast field with the scorching sun shining down on the bare necks of women as they face down working strenuously to cultivate the land. These were the busy times of the women where they worked even harder than some men. Women’s work was not a joke for the lower and middle class women, while the upper class women were fortunate enough to have other women doing the work for them. As a result many renowned artists such as Jan Vermeer, Vincent Van Gogh, and Jean-Francois Millet, painted the actions of these women to display the hardships these women had to face in order to sustain a well-being. The following paintings are different in style, however send the same message that was women’s work.

Monday, May 9, 2011

work cited:

THE MILKMAID by Johannes Vermeer." Essential Vermeer. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catalogue/milkmaid.html>.


"The Potato Eaters by Vincent Van Gogh." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! Web. 26 Apr. 2011. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/potatoindex.html>.


"Story behind the Picture - The Gleaners | Timeline of Waste." University of St Andrews - Scotland's First University, Founded 1413. Web. 26 Apr. 2011. <http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~waste/timeline/story-pic1.html>.



"Vincent Van Gogh. Study of Art, Paintings, and Works." MoodBook. Bring Art to Your Desktop! Web. 26 Apr. 2011. <http://www.moodbook.com/history/postimpressionism/vincent-van-gogh-works.html>.
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