A Vessel Under Sail

A Vessel Under Sail is a distinctive print created by the French artist Jean François Millet (1814-1875) in 1847. Classified as a print, this piece is an etching executed skillfully in blue ink on ivory laid paper. The utilization of a singular color beyond the paper's natural hue provides the image with a subtle, almost monochromatic appearance, emphasizing line and form. This early work offers a glimpse into Millet’s technical versatility and his experimentation with the graphic arts, contrasting with the large-scale oil paintings of rural life for which he would later gain international fame.

Dating to the mid-19th century, this work was produced while Millet was developing his mature style. While he is most renowned for his depictions of peasants and agricultural labor across France, compositions focusing on seascapes and sailing vessels also appear in his oeuvre. The etching focuses on the movement and solitary nature of the vessel against a wide, implied expanse of water and sky. Millet demonstrates his ability to imbue even simple subjects with careful observation and emotional weight through delicate handling of the etching needle.

This refined example of Millet's graphic output is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing significantly to the museum’s holding of 19th-century French prints. The classification of the work as a Print means reproductions and details of this historical image circulate widely in the realm of art history research, often supported by public domain initiatives. The piece showcases the diversity of technique employed by Millet before he settled firmly into his role as the master chronicler of the French peasantry.