Jean-François Millet
1814–1875 · Realism & Academic
Biography
Jean-François Millet (1814–1875), son of Norman peasants, settled in Barbizon in 1849. He devoted his painting to rural life, which he depicted with dignity and deep empathy.
From the artist’s life
In 1837 Millet, then in his early twenties, moved to Paris and began his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts under Paul Delaroche (1797–1856), known for dramatic historical pictures such as The Execution of Lady Jane Grey. Millet’s early paintings included portraits, small mythological works and idealised pastoral scenes. In 1848 he painted The Winnower (left-hand picture), showing a man separating grain from chaff. The painting already testifies to a new direction in Millet’s career. In 1850 he created one of his great iconic peasant works, The Sower (right-hand picture).
From the page of The Angelus
