A Girl Minding Geese

A Girl Minding Geese by Jean François Millet French, 1814-1875, is a significant example of his graphic work created between 1855 and 1856. Classified as a print, this piece was meticulously executed using the drypoint technique on delicate ivory laid China paper.

Millet, a foundational figure of the Barbizon School, specialized in depicting the quiet dignity of agrarian labor in mid-19th-century France. This drypoint captures a young girl absorbed in her solitary duty of watching over a small gaggle of geese. The selection of subject matter reflects the artist’s commitment to realism, contrasting sharply with the academic traditions of the time that favored historical or mythological narratives.

The execution in drypoint is central to the aesthetic effect. Unlike traditional etching, the drypoint process involves directly scratching a needle onto the copper plate, generating a delicate burr along the engraved line. When printed, this burr holds the ink, resulting in rich, often soft and velvety lines that characterize the finest prints of the era. This texture lends an immediacy and sensitivity to the humble subject of the geese-minder, highlighting Millet’s concern for the laborers of rural France.

The work reflects the artist's empathetic approach to peasant subjects, cementing his reputation as a master of both painting and printmaking. A Girl Minding Geese is a crucial example of French mid-century realism and is permanently housed in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a celebrated example of Millet’s prints, the original plates and subsequent impressions contribute significantly to the accessible body of 19th-century artwork now preserved or made available through the public domain.