Woman Feeding Her Child

"Woman Feeding Her Child" is an evocative 1861 print created by Jean François Millet (French, 1814-1875) in collaboration with master printers Auguste Delâtre (French, 1822-1907) and Félix Henri Bracquemond (French, 1833-1914). Millet, a central figure in 19th-century French Realism, devoted his oeuvre to depicting the dignity and toil of peasant life. This intimate genre scene captures a moment of universal maternal care, focusing intently on the bond between the woman and her child in a humble domestic setting. The work exemplifies the growing interest in scenes of everyday life that characterized art in France during this period.

The piece is executed in etching and drypoint, utilizing the strengths of both techniques to achieve a rich tonal range and delicate line work. It is printed on ivory laid paper and notably features remarques along the plate margins, which are subtle, non-essential sketches added by the artist or collaborators often during the proofing stages before the final print run. The work is delicately hinged on its left side to a cream card mount, preserving its original presentation format.

This sensitive portrayal of domesticity remains a significant example of Millet’s graphic output. The collaborative nature of the production, involving both the artist's design and the technical expertise of Delâtre and Bracquemond, highlights the sophistication of fine art prints created during this era. This impression of Woman Feeding Her Child is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the museum's robust holdings of 19th-century French works. As this important historical print is widely considered to be in the public domain, prints and digital images are accessible globally for study and appreciation.