Wheeled Plow and Other Studies c. 1860s

Jean-François Millet made this drawing of a wheeled plow and other studies with graphite on paper. The image is an example of the artist's interest in rural life, and it reflects the social and cultural context of 19th-century France. Millet was part of the Realist movement, which sought to depict the everyday lives of ordinary people. In this sketch, the emphasis on the implements of agricultural work demonstrates the realities of peasant life during this period. The sketch reminds us of the broader social and economic changes that were occurring in France at the time, including industrialization and urbanization. Agricultural laborers often faced harsh conditions and poverty and were sometimes romanticized in art. By examining archival sources such as letters, exhibition reviews, and census data, we can better understand the social and institutional context in which Millet created this sketch and appreciate its historical significance.