Little Shepherdess, Seated

"Little Shepherdess, Seated," by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875), is a compelling print study that showcases the artist's versatility across media. The primary impression is a woodcut rendered in dark blue ink upon pale bluish laid paper. Uniquely, Millet enhanced this work with secondary media, applying graphite images both on the recto and verso of the sheet, suggesting the piece served as both an independent print and an exploratory sketch. The long dating range (1834-1875) encompasses the period when Millet began to establish himself as a leading voice in 19th-century French art, deeply committed to depicting the peasantry and rural life.

Millet was a foundational figure of the Barbizon school, shifting artistic focus toward the solemn dignity of agricultural labor. The subject of the seated shepherdess is typical of his most celebrated work, illustrating a humble figure paused in contemplation or rest amidst the demands of her daily toil. The stark lines achievable through the woodcut technique allowed Millet to convey the gravitas and simplicity inherent in this subject matter. This specific impression is crucial for understanding the artist’s working method, demonstrating how he employed preliminary prints and drawing to refine his compositions before execution in paint or larger print editions.

As a significant example of the printmaking tradition in France, this work is preserved in the comprehensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The material complexity-the combination of print and graphite-provides valuable insight for scholars studying Millet’s process. Like many masterful prints from this era, the Little Shepherdess, Seated remains influential, and high-resolution reproductions of Millet’s works have entered the public domain, ensuring global access to the art of this pivotal French realist.