Sketches of Three Subjects

Sketches of Three Subjects is a highly sophisticated print created in 1855 by the celebrated French Realist Jean François Millet, in collaboration with the renowned printer Auguste Delâtre. This particular work represents a key example of the technical experimentation that characterized graphic arts in France during the mid-nineteenth century, demonstrating Millet’s versatility beyond his primary focus on painting rustic life. Classified specifically as a print, the work explores figural studies and preliminary observations.

The complexity of the image is achieved through the layered application of four distinct printmaking methods: etching, drypoint, roulette, and foul-biting. Applied to ivory laid China paper, this layering of techniques allowed Millet to achieve a rich range of tonal qualities and textures. Drypoint lends immediacy and deep burr to the primary lines, while the mechanical application of roulette creates areas of subtle stipple. The inclusion of foul-biting introduces accidental, grainy textures, contributing significantly to the work’s overall spontaneous, sketch-like appearance, differentiating it from purely linear etchings of the period.

Created in 1855, this image provides critical insight into Millet’s mastery of the graphic medium and his exploration of subjects drawn from everyday life, typical of the prevailing movement in France. This specific impression is permanently held in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a major nineteenth-century work, high-resolution images of these historic prints are often made available through the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to study Millet’s profound influence on subsequent generations of artists.