Sheepshearing Beneath a Tree

Sheepshearing Beneath a Tree by Jean-François Millet, created between 1849 and 1859, is a powerful example of the artist's deep commitment to portraying rural labor with integrity. This detailed work, classified as a drawing, utilizes Conté crayon with stumping, a technique Millet frequently employed to achieve soft, atmospheric effects reminiscent of oil paint. He further refined the composition by heightening the surface with white gouache and delicate lines of pen and brown ink on wove paper, showcasing a mastery of mixed media drawing that lends monumentality to the everyday scene.

The subject centers on the demanding annual task of sheepshearing, highlighting the essential, cyclical nature of agricultural life. The composition organizes several figures, emphasizing the collaborative effort of the rural community where men and women work side by side to manage the large flock of sheep. Millet, a leading figure in French Realism and the Barbizon School, consistently depicted agricultural laborers with dignity, elevating their work beyond mere genre scenes to subjects of profound humanistic interest. This particular drawing bridges his intensive studies of nature with his ultimate sympathy for the working class.

Drawn during a period when Millet produced some of his most iconic compositions, the piece illustrates the kind of agrarian scene that has made his work enduringly popular. The expressive quality of this piece makes it clear why it has been frequently reproduced, and high-quality prints of this drawing remain popular today. This important work, recognized for its historical and artistic merit, resides in the esteemed classification of Drawings currently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and is now part of the institution’s public domain collection.