Signature Fragment from the Shepherdess

The Signature Fragment from the Shepherdess is an intriguing print executed by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875) and printed by Jean-Baptiste Millet (French, 1831-1906). This work, created or issued during the long period spanning 1834 to 1875, showcases the artist’s mastery of the graphic medium. Classified as a woodcut, the image is rendered using black ink on tan wove China paper, which has been carefully laid down onto a white Japanese hinge paper—a method reflecting the careful conservation and presentation standards of high-quality prints from the nineteenth century.

Though categorized as a fragment, the piece connects viewers directly to Millet's preparatory process for the celebrated theme of the shepherdess, a subject central to the artist's career. Jean François Millet was a pivotal figure in French Realism and the Barbizon School, known for depicting rural life with dignity and solemnity. His experimentation with various printmaking techniques allowed him to share his powerful artistic vision widely. The woodcut medium, with its capacity for bold contrast and definitive lines, perfectly complements Millet’s focus on the strong forms of the peasantry.

This historic impression, originating from France, provides invaluable insight into the collaboration between the two artists and the enduring quality of the Millet family’s artistic legacy. The work is held in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Fortunately, many such significant prints are now often available to the public domain, ensuring scholars and students worldwide can access and study Millet’s detailed approach to graphic arts.