Sketches

Sketches is a compelling example of late 19th-century French printmaking created by Jean François Millet French, 1814-1875. Dating from the final decade of the artist's life, spanning 1863 to 1875, this work showcases a dynamic and experimental approach to the woodcut medium. The unique aesthetic derives specifically from the technique employed: printing from a partially inked block on cream laid Japanese tissue. This method intentionally bypasses the conventional smoothness and finish of traditional prints, yielding an intentionally rough, spontaneous quality that captures the immediacy implied by the title.

Millet is widely recognized for his empathetic depictions of rural peasant life in 19th-century France. However, this print offers crucial insight into the artist's working methodology and creative process rather than a final narrative scene. The delicate substrate of Japanese tissue further enhances the ephemeral nature of these preparatory design studies, distinguishing this piece from Millet’s more monumental oil paintings. Although produced late in the artist's career, the execution of the woodcut reveals the enduring vigor and mastery of line work that characterized the French draughtsman. As a significant example of 19th-century prints, this artwork is maintained in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing scholars and the public with access to this important record of Millet's diverse output. Due to its age and established institutional provenance, high-resolution images of these Sketches are often available through public domain initiatives, supporting continued global study of the master’s technique.