Rural Life Appraisal

Milk Maid (or 'Milkmaid')

This item is a framed, hand-colored stipple engraving depicting a 'Milk Maid' scene, characteristic of late 18th or early 19th-century British genre prints. The central figure is a woman, presumably a milkmaid, dressed in a white bonnet with red ribbons, a light-colored blouse with a white ruffled collar or shawl, a cream-colored apron, and a prominent red skirt. She carries a small pail and is accompanied by two children, a girl in a yellow dress and a boy in brown britches and a blue jacket. A small grey dog stands near the children. In the background, there's an urban street scene with buildings, an ornate street lamp, and a glimpse of what appears to be a cart. Two large milk pails with brass or copper bands rest on the ground beside the milkmaid. The print is contained within a rectangular border, and the title "Milk Maid" is handwritten or delicately printed in cursive script below the left corner of the image. The artist's signature or engraver's name, 'J. Rogeys' or similar, is faintly visible in cursive below the right corner of the image. The colors are applied by hand, giving a soft, watercolor-like effect, particularly noticeable in the sky and the figures' attire, indicating a stipple engraving technique often used for its delicate rendering of flesh tones and detailed textures. The paper appears to be aged, with some discoloration or foxing visible, particularly around the edges of the border and in the margins. The overall condition suggests age-related wear, but no significant tears or repairs are immediately evident from the image provided. The craftsmanship is fine, demonstrating the attention to detail typical of allegorical or genre prints from this period, which were popular for their domestic and sentimental themes. The print captures a moment of daily life, likely intended for display in a domestic setting.