Randolph Caldecott

Oil on canvas. Depicts the milkmaid seated by her cow with a bucket of milk, while her suitor looks on from under a tree. Signed with initials and dated “Jany 1880” at lower left. Measures 26-1/2 x 37-1/2 inches.  Very Rare and Important. 

Randolph Caldecott (1846–1886) was an English artist and illustrator, best known for his colorful Picture Books which came out for Christmas between 1878 and 1885, but was also a prolific illustrator of books and magazines, and very influential as were his contemporaries: Walter Crane and Kate Greenaway. The Caldecott Medal award was named in his honor.