19th century european realism artists biography

Millet's Peasant Paintings

The same problem of how far art is intended to carry a social message arises with Jean-Francois Millet (1814-75), many of whose works are concerned with human labour.

Peasant naturalism had come into prominence in 1848. In the wake of the 1830 Revolution, liberal reformers and art critics had begun to call for a regional French art rather than the totally traditional classical type.

19th century european realism artists biography summary

Peasant scenes as depicted by artists such as Jules Breton (1827-1906) became acceptable and even respectable. However, with the depopulation of the countryside in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, the peasant soon became a controversial political figure.

Millet's work (along with Courbet's) became the focus for new political ideas, although Millet was not militant by nature.

He was profoundly moved by the human condition and created an art form to express this and to move other