The Two Cows

The Two Cows by Jean François Millet French, 1814-1875, is a compelling early work demonstrating the artist's mastery of graphic media before he became renowned for his powerful oil paintings of peasant life. Created across the decade between 1842 and 1852, this print utilizes the combined technical demands of etching and drypoint, applied using reddish-brown ink on a distinctive blue-green laid paper. This unique pairing of materials gives the print a subtle tonal warmth, contrasting with the cool undertones of the support.

The composition focuses squarely on the two domestic animals, which stand as representatives of the rural economy that defined much of 19th-century France. Millet’s approach is characteristic of the burgeoning Realist movement, avoiding idealization and instead presenting the subjects with direct, observational clarity. The drypoint technique is particularly effective here, allowing Millet to achieve rich, velvety black lines and burrs that add texture to the cows' hides and definition to the surrounding environment.

Though known primarily as a painter, Millet produced a significant body of prints throughout his career, often revisiting agricultural subjects and domestic animals that reflect his enduring fascination with the working world. This piece offers valuable insight into the graphic arts traditions of the period. Today, the work is part of the extensive collection of prints and drawings held by the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the understanding of how 19th-century French artists developed naturalistic depictions of farm life that remain highly accessible in the public domain.