Jean François Millet A Collection of Fifteen Pictures and a Portrait of the Painter, with Introduction and Interpretation

This volume gathers fifteen of Jean François Millet’s most evocative carbon prints, plus a self‑portrait, to offer a vivid snapshot of nineteenth‑century French peasant life. The selection moves from solitary labor—men hoeing, women sewing by lamplight—to shared tasks and tender moments of childhood, giving listeners a panoramic view of field, garden, and home. Each image is paired with thoughtful commentary that situates the work within Millet’s lifelong devotion to ordinary people and their surroundings.

The accompanying introduction delves into Millet’s artistic character, revealing his insistence on painting only what nature directly impressed upon him. It explains how he merged landscape and figure into a seamless whole, mastering light from misty dawn to glowing sunset. By highlighting pieces such as “The Angelus,” “The Sower,” and “The Gleaners,” the book illustrates his commitment to authenticity, strength, and the quiet dignity of rural labor, letting listeners appreciate the depth behind each brushstroke.