Schaapherderin, leunend op een stok 1860s

Jean-François Millet created this drawing, "Schaapherderin, leunend op een stok," using black chalk. Millet, who was deeply influenced by his peasant roots, often depicted rural life in his art. During the 19th century in France, there was a growing interest in representing the lives of the working class. Millet's focus on the dignity of labor set him apart. Here, we see a shepherdess, a young woman, holding her staff in a field with her sheep. The landscape seems to reflect the solitude and hardships of rural life. Millet once said, "I am a peasant, and I will paint peasant life." This wasn't just about visual representation; it was about valuing the lives and experiences of those often overlooked by mainstream society. Her posture and simple clothing speak to a life of hard work and resilience. While some artists of his time focused on idealized visions, Millet chose to depict the everyday realities of the working class. He invites us to consider the stories and struggles of individuals whose labor sustains us all.