The Miller 1873

Ivan Kramskoy painted "The Miller" using oil on canvas, its dimensions are 73.5 x 58 cm. Notice the muted palette, dominated by earthy browns and creams, creating a sense of quiet dignity. The composition is simple, focusing our attention on the figure's weathered face, framed by a substantial beard and a tall hat. Kramskoy's brushstrokes are visible, adding texture and depth to the miller's garments and facial features. This work reflects the 19th-century Russian Realist movement, which sought to depict the lives and character of ordinary people. Kramskoy's formal choices such as the use of chiaroscuro, creates a semiotic relationship between light and dark to represent the duality of human existence; suffering and resilience, hope and despair. This is achieved through the contrast of the miller's illuminated face and the shadowy background. Kramskoy gives the viewer a glimpse into the soul of working class, captured with stark realism and emotional depth.