PREFACE

In making a selection of Millet’s pictures, devoted as they are to the single theme of French peasant life, variety of subject can be obtained only by showing as many phases of that life as possible.  Our illustrations therefore represent both men and women working separately in the tasks peculiar to each, and working together in the labors shared between them.  There are in addition a few pictures of child life.

The selections include a study of the field, the dooryard, and the home interior, and range from the happiest to the most sombre subjects.  They show also considerable variety in artistic motive and composition, and taken together fairly represent the scope of Millet’s work.

Estelle M. Hurll.  New Bedford, mass.  March, 1900.

CONTENTS AND LIST OF PICTURES

PORTRAIT OF MILLET.  DRAWN BY HIMSELF

INTRODUCTION

     I. On Millet’s character as an artist

     II.  On books of reference

     III.  Historical directory of the pictures of this collection

     IV.  Outline table of the principal events in Millet’s life

     V. Some of Millet’s associates

I. GOING TO WORK

II.  THE KNITTING LESSON

III.  THE POTATO PLANTERS

IV.  THE WOMAN SEWING BY LAMPLIGHT

V. THE SHEPHERDESS

VI.  THE WOMAN FEEDING HENS

VII.  THE ANGELUS

VIII.  FILLING THE WATER-BOTTLES

IX.  FEEDING HER BIRDS

X. THE CHURCH AT GREVILLE

XI.  THE SOWER

XII.  THE GLEANERS

XIII.  THE MILKMAID

XIV.  THE WOMAN CHURNING

XV.  THE MAN WITH THE HOE

XVI.  THE PORTRAIT OF MILLET

PRONOUNCING VOCABULARY OF PROPER NAMES AND FOREIGN WORDS

Note:  All the pictures were made from carbon prints by Braun, Clement & Co.

INTRODUCTION

I. ON MILLET’S CHARACTER AS AN ARTIST