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Madame J.-F. Millet (Catherine Lemaire)
Jean-François Millet (French, 1814–1875)
about 1848–49
Medium/Technique
Black conté crayon, heightened with white, on blue-gray laid paper
Dimensions
Sheet: 55.9 x 42.9 cm (22 x 16 7/8 in.)
Framed: 69.5 x 59.7 cm (27 3/8 x 23 1/2 in.)
Framed: 69.5 x 59.7 cm (27 3/8 x 23 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Henry Lee Higginson
Accession Number21.283
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsDrawings
Catherine Lemaire was Millet's second wife, his companion for thirty years, with whom he had nine children. The intimacy of this portrait relies in great part on the sensitive depiction of light falling on her gentle face, coarse shawl, and loosely gathered hair.
Catalogue Raisonné
Murphy 012
Provenance[H. Atger (Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 12 March, 1874, lot 78)]; Georges Petit, Paris; [Barbédienne (Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 27 April, 1885, lot 78)]; Major Henry Lee and Mrs. (Francis Agassiz) Higginson, Boston; acquired April 7, 1921