Le Passage des oies sauvages c. 1862 - 1863

"Le Passage des oies sauvages" (c. 1862-1863) by Jean-François Millet depicts two figures, a man and a woman, gazing upward at a flock of geese flying overhead. The scene is painted in a muted palette of browns, greens, and blues, characteristic of Millet's Realist style. The figures' simple clothing and humble posture suggest they are rural laborers, likely peasants from the French countryside. The artwork captures a moment of quiet contemplation, reflecting Millet's fascination with the lives and labors of ordinary people. "Le Passage des oies sauvages" is a poignant portrayal of human existence against the vastness of nature, conveying both a sense of awe and of everyday life.