The Gleaners

The Gleaners by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875), created during 1855-1856, is a compelling early iteration of a composition that would define the artist’s legacy. This influential print was executed using the demanding techniques of etching and drypoint on tan laid paper, showcasing Millet’s adept translation of texture and atmosphere into graphic media. The work was printed by the accomplished French collaborator, Auguste Delâtre (1822-1907).

Millet’s focus on the lives of agricultural laborers positioned him at the forefront of the Realist movement in 19th-century France. The subject centers on three destitute women performing the lowest form of labor—gleaning, or gathering the residual grain left in the fields after the main harvest. This poignant depiction of rural poverty and the difficult conditions faced by the working class sparked considerable social controversy when the related oil painting, also titled The Gleaners, was exhibited in 1857.

Through the intricate lines of the etching process, Millet captures the dramatic contrast between the sun-drenched fields and the heavy, bowed forms of the figures. This profound study of human labor remains a quintessential example of Realist prints produced in France during this era. As a significant object of cultural heritage, this piece resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its historical impact and age, the imagery associated with this work is commonly accessed via the public domain, providing researchers with broad access to the artist’s commentary on societal inequality.