The Miller 1918

Juan Gris painted 'The Miller' using oil on canvas. The painting is a striking example of Synthetic Cubism. Notice how Gris has used simple materials to create a complex image, oil paints manipulated to create a fragmented composition. It seems that the artist built up the image from geometric forms, lending a constructed feel. Look closely, and you'll see that the figure and background are composed of interlocking planes of color. The subject, a miller, is made up of flat, overlapping shapes. The artist’s careful arrangement of color and form reflects an awareness of the hard labor and time involved in milling. In painting 'The Miller', Gris isn't only representing a person, but the very concept of labor and production itself. This reminds us that even a seemingly abstract work like this is deeply connected to the social and economic realities of its time. By focusing on the materials, making, and context, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork.