Where Can He Be?

Where Can He Be? is a collaborative work created between 1843 and 1853, featuring the graphic contribution of Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875), with composition by Frédéric Lebel, published by Barnard Latte. This piece is classified as a print, specifically a lithograph executed on stone. The technique employs scraping, which allows for subtle tonal variation and highlights against the dark lithographic ground, a method common in mid-19th century commercial prints. Uniquely, the image is printed on ivory wove paper, backed by extant printed sheet music, indicating its probable function as an illustration or cover for the dissemination of popular songs or musical pieces in France.

While Millet is best known for his later monumental oil paintings depicting peasant life and agricultural labor, works like this early print offer insight into his diverse commercial output during the 1840s. The collaboration, involving a composer and publisher, highlights how reproductive prints were integral to French popular culture, serving dual roles as both visual entertainment and marketing material for musical publications. Millet’s association with lithography during this period reflects the growing commercial market for accessible visual art. This original print resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a significant historical print produced in France, the image is often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring its preservation and academic study.