The Diggers

The Diggers is a powerful print by Jean-François Millet, executed as an etching on heavy wove paper. Created sometime between 1830 and 1875, this work focuses on the intense physical labor of the rural poor. Millet specialized in depicting agricultural life, emphasizing the dignity of the common worker, a characteristic element of the mid-19th century move toward social realism. This piece captures two men deeply involved in the arduous task of digging. The artist utilized the technical precision of the etching process to achieve high contrast and deep, expressive lines, essential for conveying the texture of the rough soil and the physical strain of the laborers.

The impression held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art is particularly notable as it represents the first state of four, providing valuable insight into Millet’s early compositional decisions and the evolving stages of the printing plate. As a highly skilled practitioner of prints, Millet often employed graphic media to disseminate images of his peasant subjects to a wider audience, moving beyond the confines of traditional oil painting. The artist’s decision to focus squarely on the anonymous men underscores the universality of hard labor, placing the subjects against a simplified horizon line to ensure the viewer's attention remains fixed on their toil.

This historic etching reflects a broader artistic and social interest in the lives of the working class during the period. Today, while the physical work resides in the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art collection, high-quality images of this masterpiece, detailing the demanding lives of the subjects, are often available through public domain sharing programs, ensuring continued scholarly study of Millet's pivotal contribution to 19th-century art.