Peasants Going to Work

Peasants Going to Work, created by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875) in 1863 and printed by Auguste Delâtre, is a significant example of 19th-century French Realism applied to the printmaking medium. This compelling image was executed using a combination of etching and drypoint techniques on ivory laid paper. Millet masterfully employed the sharp contrast inherent in the print medium to convey the somber, demanding quality of rural labor. The drypoint additions create velvety, dark passages that contrast with the precise etched lines, giving the figures an immediate, strong presence as they trudge through the field.

Millet was one of the foremost proponents of the Realist movement in France, dedicating his artistic output to portraying the lives, dignity, and hardship of the agricultural working class. The subject matter departs from traditional idealized pastoral landscapes, offering an unromanticized view of contemporary daily life. The two figures, moving away from the viewer and framed against a low horizon, emphasize the solitary and ceaseless nature of their task. Millet's dedication to this subject profoundly influenced subsequent generations of artists interested in social commentary.

As one of the artist’s most recognizable prints, this edition highlights the crucial collaboration with the celebrated printer Auguste Delâtre, who was instrumental in realizing the subtle tonal variations Millet desired. This historic work, a classic example of 19th-century French culture and art, is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Though the original is a unique print, the continued study and availability of high-quality reproductions ensure the enduring public domain legacy of Millet's depiction of the French peasant.