Sketches, Fragment: Peasant Seated at the Foot of a Tree

"Sketches, Fragment: Peasant Seated at the Foot of a Tree" by Jean François Millet French, 1814-1875, is a fascinating example of the artist’s experimental approach to preparatory studies during the latter part of his career (1863-1875). This highly unusual piece merges multiple media: it incorporates a woodcut fragment taken from a partially inked block, overlaid with spontaneous drawing executed in charcoal on delicate tan wove China paper. The verso further contains remnants of a woodcut print in dark brown ink, attesting to the composite and exploratory nature of the work.

Millet, a central figure in 19th-century French Realism, devoted his oeuvre to depicting the quiet dignity and toil of peasant life. The solitary, seated figure resting beneath the tree is typical of the artist’s dedication to authentic rural subjects, often rendered with palpable weight and gravitas. The combination of the rigid structure provided by the printed block and the soft, quick lines of the charcoal allows the viewer insight into how the artist developed figures before committing them to larger paintings or finalized Prints.

Though recognized chiefly for his seminal oil paintings, the body of graphic art produced by Millet is equally significant, emphasizing the importance of printmaking in communicating his vision across France and beyond. This hybrid work serves as an important document of the development process. As a Classification: Print, it highlights the versatility of graphic media in Millet's era. This pivotal drawing and print fragment resides within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars detailed information about his technique. Today, much of Millet’s extensive work, including such preparatory studies, is available through public domain resources, ensuring the continued study of this master of French Realism.