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The Archer and the Milkmaid

After Jacques de Gheyn II Netherlandish
Andries Stock Netherlandish
Publisher Nicolaes de Clerck Dutch
ca. 1610
Not on view
The well-bred artist Jacques de Gheyn treats the subject of milkmaids with more circumspection than is found in popular prints of the period. An archer with a bulging codpiece aims his crossbow right at the viewer, like Cupid hitting us between the eyes. The archer and his helpful companion (who wears his hat) reappear as lovers in the left background, where a stallion (presumably) ogles a mare. De Gheyn refers to slang expressions such as "milking" (see 41.1.24) and "shooting your bolt." The inscriptions were probably added by the publisher. The Latin verse lamely alludes to male anatomy while the Dutch text warns maidens of men with crossbows cocked.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Archer and the Milkmaid
  • Artist: After Jacques de Gheyn II (Netherlandish, Antwerp 1565–1629 The Hague)
  • Artist: Andries Stock (Netherlandish, 1572/82–after 1648)
  • Publisher: Nicolaes de Clerck (Dutch, active 1599–1626)
  • Date: ca. 1610
  • Medium: Engraving; first state of two (New Hollstein)
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 16 5/16 x 12 15/16 in. (41.4 x 32.8 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.95.1331
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Study of Eleven Heads, Jacques de Gheyn II Netherlandish, Pen and three shades of brown ink with black chalk on laid paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink and graphite
Study of Eleven Heads
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late 16th–early 17th century
Soprano Recorder in B, Thomas Coenraet Boekhout Dutch, Ebony, ivory, Dutch
Soprano Recorder in B
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ca. 1700
Scrapbook of Drawings and Prints, Gideon Saint British, Pen and ink, engraving and etching
Scrapbook of Drawings and Prints
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Vanitas Still Life, Jacques de Gheyn II Netherlandish, Oil on wood
Vanitas Still Life
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Back Plate of a Gorget, Steel, silver, gold, Dutch
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