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In the Garden
Jean-François Millet (French, 1814–1875)
about 1860
Medium/Technique
Pastel and watercolor over black conté crayon on beige laid paper
Dimensions
31.5 x 37.5 cm (12 3/8 x 14 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Quincy Adams Shaw through Quincy Adams Shaw, Jr., and Mrs. Marian Shaw Haughton
Accession Number17.1503
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPastels
A young woman has taken her sewing out into the garden. Pausing in her work, she gazes into the distance. As though evidence of her momentary distraction, the contents of her basket have spilled onto the ground while the child in the background wanders towards the chickens, stick in hand.
While this pastel would have appealed to collectors for its charming portrayal of country life, there is a tension between the subject matter and its representation. Despite its bucolic nature, this scene is suggests a life defined by constant labor.
Millet has employed a variety of mediums. The dark conté crayon suggests that he originally intended this work to be a drawing. He later brought the scene to life through layers of watercolor and pastel.
While this pastel would have appealed to collectors for its charming portrayal of country life, there is a tension between the subject matter and its representation. Despite its bucolic nature, this scene is suggests a life defined by constant labor.
Millet has employed a variety of mediums. The dark conté crayon suggests that he originally intended this work to be a drawing. He later brought the scene to life through layers of watercolor and pastel.
Catalogue Raisonné
Murphy 87
InscriptionsLower right: J. F. Millet
ProvenanceAlfred Sensier (b. 1815 - d. 1877), Paris; December 10-18, 1877, Sensier sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, lot no. 192, sold to Alphonse Legrand (dealer), Paris, probably for Quincy Adams Shaw (b. 1825 - d. 1908), Boston; 1917, gift of Quincy Adams Shaw through Quincy A. Shaw, Jr. and Mrs. Marian Shaw Haughton to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 29, 1917)