Near Vichy

Near Vichy, created by Jean François Millet French, 1814-1875 between 1866 and 1867, is an exquisite example of the artist’s mature graphic style, reflecting his enduring connection to the rural landscape of France. This specific drawing employs a highly intricate technique, utilizing subtle applications of watercolor layered with precise delineation using pen and brown iron gall ink. This combined approach was applied over a preliminary graphite sketch on ivory laid paper, allowing Millet to achieve both atmospheric softness and structural clarity in the composition. The finished work is further distinguished by its presentation, being perimeter mounted to cream Japanese paper, a careful preservation method appropriate for works on paper.

Created late in Millet’s career, this piece moves beyond the famous, sometimes rigorous depictions of peasant labor for which he is known, focusing instead on topographical study and the interplay of light and shadow in the region surrounding Vichy, a prominent spa town. The effective use of iron gall ink defines the contours of the land, while the watercolor washes provide depth and mood characteristic of the Barbizon school’s influence. This delicate study of the French countryside resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a significant record of Millet’s extensive output in drawing and related media. Classified simply as "Other," the status of Near Vichy underscores its importance outside standard museum definitions for paintings or typical prints. As a widely respected work from a key nineteenth-century master, high-quality digital prints of this work are frequently made available through public domain initiatives.