Currently not on view

Peasant woman knitting by grazing cow,
ca. 1855–60

Jean-François Millet, 1814–1875; born Gruchy, France; died Barbizon, France

x1941-147

A masterful draftsman, Millet carefully prepared his epic naturalist canvases from numerous studies, ranging from chalk sketches rapidly drawn from life to fully finished drawings and pastels. Here, in a few quick strokes, Millet creates a bucolic simile between a young peasant woman with her head humbly bent, absorbed in her knitting, and her cow, who peacefully grazes in the Barbizon countryside.

Information

Title

Peasant woman knitting by grazing cow

Dates

ca. 1855–60

Maker

Jean-François Millet

Medium

Recto: Red chalk Verso: Black chalk

Dimensions

17.9 x 21.7 cm (7 1/16 x 8 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Frank Jewett Mather Jr.

Object Number

x1941-147

Place Made

Europe, France

Signatures

Artist stamp, lower right: J.F.M.

Culture

French

Type

drawings, studies (visual works)

Materials

laid paper, black chalk, red chalk

Subject

men, figures (representations), women, knitting, carding, peasants, cows

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Citation

Jean-François Millet (1814–1875; born Gruchy, France; died Barbizon, France), Peasant woman knitting by grazing cow, ca. 1855–60. Recto: Red chalk Verso: Black chalk; 17.9 x 21.7 cm. Gift of Frank Jewett Mather Jr. (x1941-147) https://artmuseum-beta.princeton.edu/art/collections/objects/3629

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Currently not on view

Peasant woman knitting by grazing cow,
ca. 1855–60

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Currently not on view

Peasant woman knitting by grazing cow, ca. 1855–60

Information

Share your feedback with us

Related Objects

Cows in Meadow

Coconut shell snuff bottle mounted in embellished silver , 1850–1920

Shorefront with Schooners and Sailboats

The Tree - Stowe, Buckinghamshire , 1987

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Explore More

Hear the Conservator

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Coconut shell snuff bottle mounted in embellished silver ,
1850–1920

The Tree - Stowe, Buckinghamshire ,
1987

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