Peasant with a Wheelbarrow

Peasant with a Wheelbarrow is a powerful print created by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875) in 1855, executed in etching and drypoint on ivory laid paper. The printing of this work was carried out by Auguste Delâtre (French, 1822-1907), a master printer known for his refined technical skill in translating artists' designs to the plate. Millet, celebrated for his empathetic depictions of rural labor, utilized printmaking to explore texture and tonal contrasts, achieving a profound sense of weight and gravity. The deliberate use of drypoint results in characteristic rich, velvety burrs, particularly visible in the heavy folds of the laborer’s clothing and the rough texture of the field.

The subject matter aligns directly with the core tenets of the Realist movement prevalent in France during the mid-19th century. Rejecting the academic ideals of historical painting, Millet focused instead on the dignity, resilience, and hardship inherent in the life of the common agricultural worker. The solitary figure, bowed under the task, conveys the relentless nature of farming and the physical toll of manual labor. This focus on agrarian life cemented Millet’s role as a foundational figure in documenting unvarnished reality, significantly influencing later artists.

As an important example of 19th-century French prints, this piece showcases the fruitful collaboration between artist and artisan necessary for producing fine art editions. The subtlety of the etched lines, reflective of Delâtre’s expertise, ensured wide dissemination of Millet's influential imagery. This powerful depiction of human perseverance is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains accessible for scholarly study. Prints of the work are sometimes made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring the lasting visibility of Millet's commitment to the peasant subject.