France has always been famous for its painters, sculptors, writers and other artists. The heyday of painting in this European country fell on the XVII-XIX centuries.
One of the prominent representatives of French fine art is Jean Francois Millet, who specialized in creating paintings of rural life and landscapes. This is a very vivid representative of his genre, whose paintings are still highly valued.
Jean Francois Millet: biography
The future painter was born on 10/04/1814 near the city of Cherbourg, in a tiny village called Grusha. Although his family was peasant, they lived quite prosperously.
At an early age, Jean began to show the ability to painting. A family where no one previously had the opportunity to leave his native village and build a career in any other field except the peasantry, his son's talent was received with great enthusiasm.
Parents supported the young man in the desire to study painting and paid him tuition. In 1837, Jean Francois Millet moved to Paris, where for two years he mastered the basics of painting craft. His mentor is Paul Delaroche.
Already in 1840, the aspiring artist first demonstrated his paintings in one of the salons. At that time, this could already be perceived as a considerable success, especially for a young painter.
Creative activity
Paris did not like Jean Francois Millet, who yearned for the countryside and lifestyle. Therefore, in 1849, he decided to leave the capital, moving to Barbizon, which was much calmer and more comfortable than noisy Paris.
Here the artist lived his whole remaining life. He considered himself a peasant, and therefore reached for the village.
That is why in his work plots of peasant life and rural landscapes prevail. He not only understood and empathized with simple farmers and shepherds, but he himself was part of this estate.
He, like no one else, knew how hard it is for ordinary people, how complicated their work is and what beggarly way of life they lead. He admired these people, of whom he considered himself a part.
Jean Francois Millet: works
The artist was very talented and hardworking. Over the course of his life, he created many paintings, many of which are today considered to be true masterpieces of the genre. One of the most famous works of Jean Francois Millet - "Ears of Ears" (1857). The picture became famous for reflecting the severity, poverty and hopelessness of ordinary peasants.
It depicts women bent over the ears, because otherwise it would not collect the remains of the crop. Despite the fact that the picture demonstrated the realities of peasant life, it aroused mixed feelings among the public. Someone considered it a masterpiece, while others spoke sharply negatively. Because of this, the artist decided to soften his style a little, demonstrating the more aesthetic aspects of village life.
Canvas "Angelus" (1859) demonstrates in all its glory the talent of Jean Francois Millet. The painting depicts two people (husband and wife) who pray in the evening twilight for people who have left this world. Soft brownish halftones of the landscape, the rays of the setting sun give the picture a special warmth and coziness.
In the same 1859, Millet painted the painting "Peasant Woman Grazing a Cow", which was created by special order from the French government.
At the end of his career, Jean Francois Millet began to pay more attention to landscapes. The household genre faded into the background. Perhaps he was influenced by the Barbizon School of Painting.
In literary works
Jean Francois Millet became one of the heroes of the story “Alive or dead?” Written by Marc Twain. According to the plot, several artists decided to embark on an adventure. Poverty pushed them to this. They decide that one of them is staging his death, having carefully prioritized this. After his death, the price of the artist’s paintings will have to soar in price, and everyone will have enough for life. It was Francois Millet who became the one who played his own death. Moreover, the artist was personally one of those who carried their own coffin. They achieved their goal.
This story also became the basis for the dramatic work "Talents and the Dead", which today is shown at the Moscow Theater. A.S. Pushkin.
Contribution to Culture
The artist had a huge impact on French and world painting in general. His paintings are highly valued today, and many are exhibited in major museums and galleries in Europe and the world.
Today he is considered one of the most prominent representatives of the everyday village genre and a magnificent landscape painter. He has a lot of followers, and many artists who create in a similar genre, one way or another, focus on his works.
The painter is rightfully considered the pride of his homeland, and his paintings are the property of national art.
Conclusion
Jean Francois Millet, whose paintings are true masterpieces of painting, made an invaluable contribution to European painting and world art. He rightfully stands on a par with the greatest artists. Although he did not become the ancestor of the new style, did not experiment with technology and did not seek to shock the public, his paintings revealed the essence of peasant life, demonstrating all the hardships and joys of the life of village people without embellishment.
Such frankness in canvases, sensuality and truthfulness can be found far from every painter, even the famous and eminent. He simply painted pictures of what he saw with his own eyes, and not just saw, but felt himself. He grew up in this environment and knew peasant life from the inside out.