Going to work

"Going to work" by Jean-François Millet, executed in 1863, is a powerful example of the artist’s commitment to documenting the reality of rural labor in mid-19th century France. This work is classified as a print, created using the intricate technique of etching. Millet often employed printmaking as a means to disseminate his Realist subjects, finding the medium effective for achieving rich tonal contrasts and intimate details that emphasized the solemnity of everyday peasant life.

As a leading figure in the French Realist movement, Millet consistently turned his focus away from the academic subjects of history and mythology, instead concentrating on the dignity and hardship of the common agricultural laborer. In this piece, he captures the essential, repetitive act suggested by the title, likely depicting figures trudging across the landscape at the start of their day. The composition and execution highlight the gravity of the subjects and their deep connection to the land, themes central to the artist’s oeuvre.

The subtle gradations possible in etching allowed Millet to imbue the scene with atmosphere, suggesting the cool, quiet dawn before work fully begins. Though differing in scale from his famous oil paintings, the thematic resonance of Going to work aligns perfectly with the artist’s mature style. This print not only stands as an important artifact of 19th-century artistic production but, like many works of this era, is now widely available through public domain collections, ensuring broad access to Millet’s contribution to art history. This particular impression of the etching is preserved in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.