Woman Churning Butter (1855–56, Met-Objekt 4913)
Original title: Woman Churning Butter
kurzbeschreibung
Jean-François Millet's etching Butter Churning Woman, made in 1855–56, presents a peasant woman engaged in butter-making. Executed in drypoint, the print survives in its third and final state.
Description
A woman anchors the image, stirring a large metal churn that stands on the floor before her with a long pole. She wears a headscarf and a long apron, and a small dog sits beside her. A shelf holding bowls and farming tools appears behind her. Soft light falls from the front, picking out the contours of the figure and the details of the room.
Context
In the mid-1850s Millet devoted himself intensely to peasant life in Barbizon. This print belongs to a series of graphic works depicting rural scenes. A member of the Barbizon School, Millet showed the labor of country people without idealization.
Impact
A quiet, concentrated mood of everyday work emanates from the scene. Thanks to the monochrome etching and the clear layout, the image feels timeless and dignified, without sentimental heightening.
Technique
Drypoint on paper, printed in the third and final state. The plate measures 18.2 × 12 cm, the sheet 32.1 × 24.8 cm. The technique yields fine lines and soft tonal values that capture the shadows of the interior precisely.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)