Jean-François Millet

Jean-François Millet was a prominent 19th-century French painter, best known for his depictions of rural life and the working class. Born in 1814 in Normandy, Millet became a leading figure in the Barbizon School, an artistic movement that emphasized realism and naturalism in landscape and genre painting. His most famous works, such as 'The Gleaners' and 'The Angelus', reflect his deep empathy for the laboring poor, often portraying scenes of agricultural toil with a sense of dignity and reverence. Millet's art played a significant role in shaping the perception of peasant life in France, and his influence can be seen in the works of later artists who sought to capture the human experience in similar ways.