The Wool-Carder

"The Wool-Carder" is an evocative print created by Jean François Millet French, 1814-1875, between 1855 and 1856. Millet, a pivotal figure in 19th-century French art, was celebrated for depicting the arduous, often unromanticized lives of the rural poor. This work falls within a critical period where the artist was deeply exploring themes of manual labor and human dignity, central tenets of the emerging Realist movement in France.

The work is executed as an etching, a rigorous technique Millet often employed to capture texture and mood with fine detail. The impression is particularly notable due to the choice of support material: bluish-green laid paper, which imparts a subtle tonal quality to the subject matter. This distinctive paper is carefully hinged on the left side to an ivory card, a standard archival practice preserving the delicate nature of the print. The focused composition depicts the solitary figure engaged in the preparation of raw wool, lending a quiet monumentality to this everyday domestic task.

The technical precision exhibited in The Wool-Carder showcases Millet’s skill not only as a celebrated painter but also as a master printmaker. As a significant example of mid-19th century French graphic arts, this specific impression resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. While highly prized as an original, historic prints from this series are today widely accessible through public domain archives, ensuring the enduring legacy of this celebrated master and his dedication to representing the working class.