Peasant with a Wheelbarrow

The print Peasant with a Wheelbarrow was executed in 1855 by the celebrated French artist Jean François Millet, with the physical printing masterfully handled by Auguste Delâtre. This profound image is rendered using the demanding intaglio techniques of etching and drypoint on ivory wove paper. This choice of medium allowed Millet to explore line and shadow with an intense focus, creating the deep textures and rich blacks typical of mid-19th century French prints.

Millet, a key figure associated with the Barbizon School, frequently focused his artistic attention on the agricultural laborers of rural France, lending monumental dignity to the everyday struggles of the working poor. The composition portrays a solitary figure leaning into the handles of a heavy wheelbarrow, suggesting the continuous, back-breaking toil required for farm life during this period. Unlike traditional academic painting that favored mythological or historical subjects, Millet elevated these common figures, reflecting the growing social realism movement gaining traction in France. The expressive use of drypoint contributes palpable texture and conveys the sense of weight and physical exertion placed upon the subject.

The quality and historical significance of this 1855 work ensures its prominent place among institutional holdings dedicated to 19th-century graphic arts. This significant example of Millet’s graphic output is held within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is classified as a master print. Today, images like this, created by influential realists, often enter the public domain, serving as crucial reference points for understanding the development of realism in French art.