The Gleaners

The Gleaners by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875), printed by Auguste Delâtre (French, 1822-1907), is a powerful example of mid-nineteenth century graphic arts in France. Executed between 1855 and 1856, this print predates Millet’s monumental oil painting of the same subject by just one year, functioning as both a preparatory study and a concurrent exploration of the theme. The work utilizes the combination of etching and drypoint techniques, applied with precision to ivory chine paper that was subsequently laid down on a heavier ivory wove sheet. This complex printmaking process, overseen by the highly regarded reproductive printer Auguste Delâtre, allowed Millet to fully explore the subtle light and shadow and the stark texture inherent in his chosen subject matter.

Millet dedicated much of his career to truthfully depicting the difficult realities of rural life. Gleaning, the act of picking up leftover grain after the harvest, was traditionally reserved for the poorest women in the French countryside. This early graphic version captures their exhausted yet stoic presence, emphasizing the repetitive, back-breaking nature of their labor and cementing Millet’s reputation as a leading figure in the Realist movement. The density of line created through the drypoint method effectively emphasizes the coarse textures of the workers' garments and the harsh expanse of the field stretching into the background. As a crucial study related to a key work of nineteenth-century art, prints of The Gleaners are frequently referenced and are often available through public domain archives worldwide. This specific impression is held in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.