The Little Shepherdess (1868-72) by Jean-François Millet

Jean-François Millet (1814–1875), French, Jean-François Millet, a pivotal figure in the Realist movement, was born on October 4, 1814, in the hamlet of Gruchy, Gréville, on the rugged coast of Normandy. The eldest in a large peasant family, Millet's early life was steeped in the rural traditions that would later dominate his artwork. Despite his humble beginnings, he was nurtured in an environment that valued learning, thanks in part to his well-read uncle, an abbé, who introduced him to a wide range of literature from the Bible to the works of Shakespeare and Victor Hugo. This early exposure to both the hardships of peasant life and the richness of literary and artistic culture shaped Millet's unique perspective, blending the earthy realism of his subjects with a profound sense of dignity and grace.
Millet's artistic journey began in earnest in 1834 when, recognized for his drawing talent, he was sent to Cherbourg to study under portraitist Paul Dumouchel. His education continued under Langlois, another local artist, and was further enriched by the opening of the Thomas-Henry Museum, where Millet honed his skills by copying masterpieces. A municipal grant enabled him to move to Paris in 1837 to study at the École des Beaux-Arts under Paul Delaroche. However, Millet's independent spirit and focus on the Louvre's masterpieces over formal academic training led to his departure from the Beaux-Arts after failing to secure the Prix de Rome. This setback did not deter him; instead, it marked the beginning of a career that would see him become one of the founders of the Barbizon School, celebrated for his evocative depictions of peasant life and the natural world. Millet passed away on January 20, 1875, in Barbizon, leaving behind a legacy that would influence generations of artists, from Van Gogh to Dalí.