Jean-François Millet by Nadar

Jean-François Millet was a French artist and one of the founders of the Barbizon school in rural France. Millet is noted for his paintings of peasant farmers and can be categorized as part of the Realism art movement.

Jean-François Millet, born on October 4, 1814, in Gruchy, France, was a renowned French painter and one of the founders of the Barbizon School, which focused on naturalistic depictions of rural life. Millet is best known for his paintings of peasant life, capturing the dignity and hardships of the working class, often portraying them in a heroic or intimate light.

Millet’s early life was marked by humble beginnings, growing up on a farm. His interest in art led him to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. While his early works were more traditional, his later works broke away from academic conventions, focusing instead on scenes of rural laborers. His iconic painting *The Gleaners* (1857) shows three peasant women gathering leftover grain after a harvest, symbolizing both the hard work of rural life and the theme of human resilience.

Millet’s paintings often attracted both praise and criticism. His portrayal of peasants was revolutionary in that he showed their lives with empathy and realism, elevating their struggles to the level of art. His works were admired by many artists, including the Impressionists, for their use of light, color, and emotion. Although not wealthy during his lifetime, Millet’s art gained greater recognition after his death.

Millet died on January 20, 1875, but his legacy endures as a master of realism who highlighted the beauty and dignity of labor. His works remain influential in art history, particularly in the depiction of rural life and the working class.