The Sower
Original title: The Sower
kurzbeschreibung
Jean-François Millet's lithograph "The Sower" from 1851 shows a farm labourer in the act of scattering seed. The print is in black and white; this is the second and final state, issued as a posthumous impression in 1879 or later.
Description
The sower stands in the foreground, flinging grain from his hand; he wears a plain apron, a cap and boots. The layout is horizontal. Behind him two cows and another figure can be made out, while birds fill the sky. Diffused light gives the impression of a cloudy day.
Context
In 1851 Millet turned increasingly to depicting rural labourers and created this motif. The lithograph belongs to his engagement with peasant subjects, which were often idealised in the nineteenth century. That this version was printed posthumously points to a continuing demand for Millet's work.
Impact
The monochrome execution and the diffused light produce a quiet, reflective mood. The sower's simple but powerful figure feels monumental, lending everyday work a dignified presence.
Technique
This sheet is a lithograph, a planographic process in which the image is drawn on a stone. The present edition corresponds to the second and final state, meaning later corrections were made to the printing surface. The image measures 19.4 x 13.3 cm, the sheet 27.9 x 20 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)