Famous French painter Millet and the Barbizon School
The painter Millet is the most popular painter in the history of modern French painting. Millet's simple art has won the favor of many farmers.
The Gleaners by Millet
In 1849, during a kala-azar epidemic in Paris, Millet moved with his family to the village of Barbizon near Fontainebleau, a suburb of Paris. Millet was already 35 years old at the time. There, he met many renowned painters, including Corot, Rousseau, and Trochon. He remained in this impoverished and isolated village for 27 years.
Millet had a special and profound connection with nature and rural life. He rose early and worked in the fields in the mornings, and painted in his dimly lit hut in the afternoons. His life was extremely difficult, but this did not dampen his love and pursuit of art. He often made his own charcoal sticks for sketching, often due to lack of money for paint.
he loved life, labor, and the peasantry. He once said, "The peasantry is the most suitable subject for me." Thus, the renowned "Barbizon School" of European art, with Diaz, Rousseau, Corot, and Millet as its principal members, was formed.
The following 27 years were the most prolific period of Millet's creative career. During this period, he created many masterpieces known to the French people, including "The Sower," "The Shepherdess," and "The Gleaners" all of which were completed here. Each of paintings was inspired by the real lives of French peasants, who plowed the fields, herded their livestock, and labored and lived their daily lives.
Jean-François Miller's Artworks
Jean-François Millet is the most beloved peasant painter in the history of modern French painting. His simple, accessible style has won the admiration of many, especially French farmers. He created a vast body of work throughout his life, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy
Miller's work of art - The Sower
Millet painted many works. One of them is The Sower—it’s now in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. This painting upset the "gentlemen." They thought the sower’s steady movements reminded them of Paris streets during the June Revolution.
He never painted peasant uprisings. That’s because he was a warm, caring person. But he did paint hardworking laborers. They wore simple clothes and didn’t have enough to eat. In fact, this was a protest against the upper class’s wasteful life—just a quieter one.
Another work is the oil painting "The Shepherdess" now in the collection of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. In it, a shepherdess, draped in an old felt shawl and a red headscarf, stands alone beside her flock against a towering horizon. Some say it personifies his spirit—his lifelong love for the earth and nature.
He painted a shepherdess praying in the wild. This work shows the pain and hardship of poor workers—and he painted it with care and kindness. As a peasant painter, Millet grew up watching farmers struggle to survive through rigorous labor. So yeah, when he looked at nature, he never forgot the people who’re part of the earth in it.
Millet's painting style
Jean-François Millet was born in 1814 in Grouches, Normandy, France. He was a famous French painter and a realist of the Barbizon School. His paintings have become household names in France, especially loved and admired by French peasants. So what is Millet's painting style?
Millet's "The Farmer Grafting Trees"
Millet's painting style depicts the labor and daily lives of peasants. He observed nature with a fresh eye, and his paintings are imbued with a rich sense of rural life.
Millet's subject matter and expressive techniques are highly unique. He objectively and realistically portrays the lives of peasants in rural France from the 1840s to the 1860s. He used his truest feelings to show how peasants love the land.
He also shared the happiness and sadness that working people have had with the land for thousands of years. Millet perfectly and vividly conveys the subject of "peasantry" through oil painting.
Romain Rolland wrote in his Millet biography: “Millet was a classic master. He put all his spirit into things that last forever, not just the moment. No one before him had given the earth—where all life lives—such a grand, deep feeling and expression.” This demonstrates the profound accomplishments of Millet's painting style.
About Us
Founded in Shanghai, China, Sigurai later expanded its gallery to Hangzhou—two cities that boast profound cultural heritage and a thriving community of creative local artists. This unique advantage allows us to continuously discover fresh, original artworks that carry the essence of Chinese creativity.
Every decorative painting we offer is a hand-painted original, complete with the artist’s hand-signed signature—ensuring no two pieces are identical. From curating artworks and conducting strict quality checks to providing professional framing, we adhere to high standards at every step to guarantee excellence. Many of our collaborating artists have showcased their works in international exhibitions, and their pieces are also collected by government institutions, a testament to their artistic value and recognition.
No matter where you are in the world, we can safely deliver your chosen artwork right to your door. You don’t need to worry about shipping logistics; simply select a piece that resonates with you, and let these unique creations by Chinese artists add a special touch to your space.
Visit our website for more information on the artworks.