Jean-Francois Millet – Artwork & Bio of the French Painter

Jean-Francois Millet was a French painter born on October 4, 1814, in Greville-Hague, France. Millet showed a talent for art early and received the support of his family, who sent him to Chernburg to study portraiture in 1833. He temporarily halted his studies after his father’s death two years later, returning to his art studies on his grandmother’s advice.

Millet started studying at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and lived on a stipend from the school. However, after Paul Delarouche, his tutor, opposed his application for the Prix de Rome, Millet left his studio and lost his school funding. In the 1840s, Millet struggled with establishing his artistic identity and often moved between his family home and Paris.

In 1848, due to an outbreak of disease, Millet and his family moved to Barbizon, where he co-founded the Barbizon School. Millet constantly struggled with financial stability, surviving only on occasional commissions. He began to experience measurable success after exhibiting at the Paris Salon in 1864 and received the Legion of Honor award in 1868. On 20 January 1875, Millet died in his Barbizon home.

What was Jean-Francois Millet Known For?

Jean-Francois Millet was known for his depictions of peasant life and the struggles of impoverished people. Millet’s chosen subject matter reflected his experiences of constant toil and financial insufficiency. His colorful and somber-toned oil paintings received positive and negative criticism from the public.

Who was Jan-Francois Millet Influenced By?

Jean-Francois Millet was influenced by Nicolas Poussin and Michelangelo Buonarroti. While studying at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Millet made frequent trips to the Louvre in search of inspiration and took a particular interest in the works of Michelangelo and Poussin.

What Art Movement was Jean-Francois Millet Associated With?

Jean-Francois Millet was associated with the Realism art movement.