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In the Garden
In the Garden

In the Garden

Jean-François Millet (French, 1814–1875)
about 1860
Medium/TechniquePastel and watercolor over black conté crayon on beige laid paper
Dimensions31.5 x 37.5 cm (12 3/8 x 14 3/4 in.)
Credit LineGift of Quincy Adams Shaw through Quincy Adams Shaw, Jr., and Mrs. Marian Shaw Haughton
Accession number17.1503
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsPastels
Description

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.

InscriptionsLower right: J. F. MilletProvenanceAlfred 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)
Watering Cows
Jean-François Millet
1863
Peasant Girl with Two Cows
Jean-François Millet
1863
Shepherdess with her Flock and Dog
Jean-François Millet
1863–65
Entrance to the Forest at Barbizon in Winter
Jean-François Millet
about 1866–67
Newborn Lamb
Jean-François Millet
1866
Shepherdess Knitting, outside the Village of Barbizon
Jean-François Millet
about 1860–62
Manor House near Gréville
Jean-François Millet
about 1863
Millet's Birthplace at Gruchy
Jean-François Millet
about 1863
House with a Well at Gruchy
Jean-François Millet
about 1863
Morning Toilette
Jean-François Millet
about 1860–62
Return of the Flock
Jean-François Millet
about 1863–64