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Jean-François Millet, who was a prominent representative of the Barbizon School, was one of the most important painters and graphic artists of French realism.
Born on October 04, 1814 in Gruchy near Cherbourg.
Died on January 20, 1875 in Barbizon.
Before being granted a scholarship at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and taught by Paul Delaroche, Jean-François Millet studied with the painter Bon Dumouchel in Cherbourg. His early oil paintings were created in 1837. After returning to Cherbourg, four years later, he created portraits and society depictions, as well as several self-portraits. Initially trying his luck with mythological themes, Millet found to his final style in 1848. From then on, he painted melancholy-looking, everyday rural life scenes. His monumental figures appeared in muted brown, blue and sometimes gray colors. His first work of this style was "The Grain Swinger" (1848, Paris, Musée National du Louvre). It was created even before he moved to Barbizon, where he joined the painters of the Barbizon School of Painters, including Th. Rousseau, J. Dupré and C.-F. Daubigny. The artists residing in that village strove for a move towards a realistic depiction of nature, following the example the English landscape painters. They were considered pioneers of the Impressionists, as they already created plein-air studies. Before his death in Barbizon, Jean-François Millet received his well-deserved recognition for his work. |
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Oil Paintings