Young Girl Guarding Her Sheep c. 1860 - 1862

Jean-François Millet painted ‘Young Girl Guarding Her Sheep’ during a period of significant social change in France. Millet, who grew up in a farming family, often depicted rural life and the working class. In this painting, Millet portrays a young shepherdess standing watch over her flock. The girl’s posture and clothing suggest the weight of her responsibilities, her youth in stark contrast to her laborious life. What does it mean to be this young and to already have such responsibilities? It’s a question of how gender, age, and class intersect. Millet said he sought to capture "the trivial and commonplace things" of rural life. He wasn't just painting a scene; he was acknowledging a way of life, one often overlooked by the urban elite. The muted colors and soft light evoke a sense of tranquility, yet also hint at the isolation and hardship inherent in rural existence. The painting serves as a powerful statement about the dignity of labor and the often-unseen lives of working-class women.