The Spinner

The Spinner by Jean François Millet French, 1814-1875, is a poignant example of the artist's dedication to depicting rural life and the quiet dignity of labor in 19th-century France. Created between 1868 and 1869, this highly detailed print employs the demanding techniques of etching and drypoint on ivory laid paper. Millet’s extensive experience in drawing translates powerfully into the graphic medium, allowing him to capture not only the physical form of the woman engaged in her task but also the intimate atmospheric quality of her environment. The careful use of drypoint adds rich, velvety burr to the darkest areas, emphasizing the texture of the spinning wheel and the heavy folds of the woman's garments.

Millet focused consistently on the working poor and the unceasing nature of agricultural and domestic life, rejecting the idealized forms often favored by the academic mainstream. This piece portrays a lone woman intensely focused on her repetitive action, symbolizing the essential, yet often unseen, labor integral to rural economies across France during this period. The strength of the composition—which places the spinning wheel as a monumental anchor in the foreground—secures its place as a significant work within the history of 19th-century prints.

Millet’s late career graphic works, such as The Spinner, are highly sought after for their expressive quality and nuanced portrayal of social realism. Today, the enduring influence of this masterwork is extended through accessible high-quality reproductions and public domain collections. The finished print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key representation of the artist's graphic output and the social commentary inherent in his practice.