Jean-François Millet

Jean-François Millet painted the "humble life of the hardworking." Imagine fields stretching to the horizon, figures bent with toil under the sun. That's Millet's world.

His style, often called Realism with a touch of Barbizon school influence, is characterized by:

• Monumental Simplicity: Peasants are depicted with a quiet dignity, almost heroic in their everyday struggles.
• Earthy Palette: Colors are muted, reflecting the hues of the soil and the landscape - browns, greens, and grays dominate.
• Emphasis on Light: He masterfully used light to create atmosphere and highlight the figures' connection to the land.

Key themes: The dignity of labor, the cycle of nature, and the spiritual connection between humans and the land.

Tie his name to his style: Think of "Millet" as the "Meal-et" that sustains the body. Millet's art celebrates those who provide that meal through honest labor in the fields.