{"product_id":"the-milk-maid-by-leon-augustin-lhermitte","title":"The Milk Maid by Léon Augustin Lhermitte","description":"Léon Augustin Lhermitte\u003cbr\u003e 1844-1925 | French \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Milk Maid\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Signed “L. Lhermitte” (lower right)\u003cbr\u003e Oil on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A masterful example of French Naturalism, \u003cem\u003eThe Milk Maid\u003c\/em\u003e captures Léon Augustin Lhermitte’s celebrated ability to portray rural life with dignity, authenticity and profound humanity. Painted near Wissant in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, this pastoral scene exemplifies the artist’s renowned depictions of agricultural workers and the rhythms of everyday life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A solitary figure carrying milk buckets crosses a bridge, likely returning from the distant meadow after milking cows. Lhermitte’s carefully observed details, from the weathered landscape to the windmill rising in the background, evoke the timeless beauty of the French countryside. Through his sensitive handling of light, atmosphere and human expression, the artist transforms a quiet rural moment into a powerful celebration of labor and perseverance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e One of the most accomplished French Naturalist painters of the 19th century, Lhermitte earned international acclaim for his deeply empathetic portrayals of peasant life. A celebrated Salon artist and member of the Legion of Honor, he was admired by many of his contemporaries, including Vincent van Gogh, who greatly revered his work. Van Gogh famously praised Lhermitte’s compositions, writing, “It is certain that for years I have not seen anything as beautiful as this scene by Lhermitte.” Today, Lhermitte’s works are held in major institutions worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and other leading collections. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by the Comité Lhermitte, Galerie Brame \u0026amp; Lorenceau, who will include it in the supplement to their catalogue raisonné on the artist. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 19th Century \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Canvas: 27 1\/2” high x 33” wide (69.85 x 83.82 cm)\u003cbr\u003e Frame: 34 1\/2” high x 40” wide x 2” deep (87.63 x 101.60 x 5.08 cm) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, Maine\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, England\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Literature:\u003cbr\u003e For a pastel version, see: Monique le Pelley Fonteny, \u003cem\u003eLéon Augustin Lhermitte. Catalogue raisonné\u003c\/em\u003e, Paris, 1991, p. 266, no. 615.","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45151036670087,"sku":"32-2621","price":98500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-2621_1.png?v=1783459234","url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/products\/the-milk-maid-by-leon-augustin-lhermitte","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}