In the Forest

"In the Forest" is a profound collaborative print created in 1851 by the Swiss artist Karl Bodmer (1809-1893), featuring the central figure of the wood chopper drawn by the influential French artist Jean François Millet (1814-1875). This particular impression is a fine example of a lithograph executed in black ink on chine collé, where a thin piece of chine paper is laid down onto a heavier sheet of white wove paper during the printing process. This technique grants the print a subtle richness and depth of tone, enhancing the atmospheric quality of the scene.

Bodmer, known for his detailed graphic work and involvement with ethnographic subjects, set the enveloping, dense forest environment. Millet’s contribution provides the powerful human element: a solitary laborer engaged in his task. This focus on the dignity and reality of peasant life places the piece firmly within the context of the burgeoning Realist movement prevalent in mid-19th-century European art. The interplay between Bodmer’s precise rendering of the Swiss landscape elements and Millet’s empathetic portrayal of the working class results in a visually dynamic and historically significant work.

The composition documents an unusual synergy between two artists whose careers crossed national lines. Although Bodmer hailed from Switzerland, the inclusion of the wood chopper figure connects the print to the broader discourse surrounding rural labor common in French art during this period. Classified as a print, the work is maintained in the distinguished permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a masterwork from the 19th century, In the Forest is a valuable resource for studying historical graphic techniques and is often referenced in scholarly texts, sometimes entering the public domain to facilitate wider access to high-quality prints.