Schaapherderin, leunend op een stok

About this artwork

Jean-François Millet's *Schaapherderin, leunend op een stok* (Shepherdess Leaning on a Stick), between 1860 and 1869, captures the quiet dignity of rural life—a hallmark of the artist's oeuvre. This intimate drawing on paper, measuring 395 mm high by 293 mm wide, depicts a shepherdess resting on her staff, evoking the timeless labors of the French countryside. Millet, a leading figure in the Barbizon and Realism movement, elevated everyday peasants from mere subjects to symbols of endurance and nobility, challenging the romanticized ideals of academic art. Rendered in Millet's characteristic earthy tones and precise lines, the work reflects his mastery of monochrome drawing techniques, often using charcoal, graphite, or pastel on paper to study light, form, and texture. During the 1860s, amid France's social upheavals and industrialization, Millet's art served as a poignant tribute to agrarian traditions, influencing later artists like Vincent van Gogh. This modest yet profound sketch offers visitors a window into 19th-century rural France, reminding us of Millet's enduring legacy in humanizing the working class through art.