Two Men Digging

Two Men Digging, created by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875) and printed by Auguste Delâtre (French, 1822-1907), is a defining example of the artist’s commitment to rural realism during the 1850s. Executed between 1855 and 1856, the work is an etching on ivory laid paper, a medium that allowed Millet to explore tonal contrasts and texture necessary to depict the arduous nature of manual labor. This classification as a print indicates the work’s intent for wider circulation, disseminating Millet's powerful commentary on the dignity of labor to a broader audience in France.

Millet was a foundational figure in the Barbizon School, known for shifting artistic focus away from historical narrative toward contemporary rural life. This piece captures two figures deeply immersed in the physical act of turning soil, reflecting the artist's enduring preoccupation with the daily struggles of the peasant class. The careful detailing achieved through the etching process highlights the musculature and weighted forms of the men, lending an unromanticized gravity to their presence that was often controversial within the Parisian Salon system.

Millet’s mastery of the intaglio technique is evident in the density of the cross-hatching, which creates deep shadows contrasting sharply with the light catching the exposed earth. As a significant print from this period of French cultural history, the work provides crucial insight into the societal shifts impacting mid-19th century art. It is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and as a historical masterwork, this powerful depiction often enters the public domain, making high-quality prints and scholarly references widely accessible.