Jean-Baptiste Millet’s pencil studies, “Ploughing Scenes”, c.1870

Jean-Baptiste Millet (1831–1906)—brother and pupil of Jean-François Millet (1814-1875)  

“Ploughing Scenes” (descriptive title only), c.1870/late 1800s, eight (?) seemingly rapid pencil studies executed on the same page, signed by the artist (compare with https://www.impressionism.nl/millet-jean-baptiste/#pgcSgb-cl2-1_cl2_10020) at lower left: “Millet/ J.-B.”.

Pencil on buff coloured laid paper (watermark “LP”), with loss of the upper-right corner of the sheet.

Size: (sheet) 16.5 x 26.4 cm.

Providence: 2008, Dominique Weitz Gallery (Paris); prior to 2008, through the estate of a descendant of Henri Rouart (information supplied by Dominique Weitz)—note that Henri Rouart was an instrumental figure in arranging the exhibition of two of Jean-Baptiste Millet’s works in the Salon of 1875 (see the blog post: “Jean-Baptiste Millet, the unknown brother” (https://www.impressionism.nl/millet-jean-baptiste/).

Note that Jean-Baptiste Millet made several prints following the designs of his famous brother, Jean-François Millet; such as, “La Grande Bergère Assise” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1877-1013-813) and “Man Sowing” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1878-0713-2677). His approach leans heavily to the interests of the Barbizon School in portraying everyday rural life from direct observation as may be seen in the chalk drawing held by the British Museum, “Summer Landscape with the Artist's home at Gruchy” (descriptive title only): https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_2004-1030-5.

Note that I have listed several etchings by Jean-François Millet that are currently still available: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2022/07/jean-francois-millets-etching-peasant.html and https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2016/05/jean-francois-millet-181475-les_15.html. 

Condition: the sheet has the upper right corner missing along with chips to the upper edge on the right; otherwise, there are no tears, holes folds or significant stains.

I am selling this remarkable sheet of delicately executed pencil sketches featuring a figure guiding a plough pulled by a team of horses, for AU$436 (currently US$297.18/EUR269.53/GBP233.86 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this wonderful sheet of pencil studies revealing the artist’s approach to capturing a scene with fundamental notational strokes, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.