Woman Filling a Water Jug (Femme vidant un seau)

Woman Filling a Water Jug (Femme vidant un seau) is a compelling graphic collaboration between Jean-François Millet and Pierre Millet, executed as a woodcut on laid paper between 1860 and 1869. This specific print exemplifies the profound interest in rural life characteristic of French Realism during the pivotal period of 1851 to 1875.

Millet, renowned for his sympathetic portrayals of agricultural workers, depicts a solitary female figure engrossed in the essential task of managing a large water vessel. The composition is stark yet intimate, utilizing the inherent qualities of the woodcut technique to render heavy, definitive lines and robust forms. The technical precision required for this medium, often handled by Pierre Millet based on Jean-François’s designs, relies on strong tonal contrasts, giving the humble figure a sense of monumental gravity. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow emphasizes the physical reality of the woman’s daily labor, elevating her simple chore to a subject of serious artistic contemplation.

The French cultural focus on the dignity of labor defines this era in art history, moving away from idealized academic subjects toward the realities faced by the working class. Millet’s enduring legacy ensures that such prints remain influential reference points for studying 19th-century graphic arts. This piece is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art and provides crucial insight into the graphic output of the artist during this productive decade. As an historically significant example of mid-19th century art, high-resolution reproductions of the work are frequently available for study, often residing within public domain collections due to its age and prominence.