Woodcutter Trimming Faggots

Woodcutter Trimming Faggots is a powerful drawing created by Jean-François Millet between 1853 and 1854. Executed primarily in Conté crayon with sophisticated stumping techniques on beige laid paper, this work showcases Millet’s renowned ability to capture the dignity and relentless labor of the rural working class. The use of stumping softens the harsh lines of the crayon, creating subtle atmospheric effects and volumetric rendering, which gives the simple subject a sense of monumental weight. This drawing is characteristic of Millet's commitment to essential human activities, placing the viewer close to the physical reality of the subject and emphasizing the texture of the trees and the worker's rough clothing.

The composition centers on a solitary man engaged in the heavy task of trimming faggots (bundles of firewood). This unflinching focus on working men involved in physical agrarian labor reflects the tenets of mid-19th century French Realism, which purposefully shifted attention from idealized academic subjects toward the everyday struggles and toil of rural life. Millet often chose simple, enduring subjects, emphasizing the universal experience of human labor rather than narrative drama. This important piece, classified as a significant drawing from the period, currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the artwork’s enduring appeal and age, high-quality prints of the sketch are often made available through various public domain art collections, allowing wider study of the master's draftsmanship.