Milk Maids

This work was inspired by an erotic lithograph by Achille Deveria, from a private edition of Don Juan in the mid-19th century. Yet, the central male figure has been supplanted from the original erotic ménage a trios scene with yet another Deveriaesque female, attributable to an edition of the erotic novel Gamiani, or, Two Nights of Excess, written by Alfred de Musset (c.1833). All three women appear to be intertwined with a Rubenesque study of a milking cow. The sprawling female bodies are set against vibrant color fields containing decorative forms indicative of Klimt portraiture. The amorous scene is meant to exaggerate to the point of absurdity the intrigue and titillation historically associated with the occupations: maidservant, milkmaid, and wet nurse. Such as the legendary parties de lait/cream held by Marie Antoinette for which one of her breasts was allegedly cast to form a drinking vessel, and featured her courtiers dressed in the latter costumes.