The Departure for Work 1857

"The Departure for Work" (1857) by Jean-François Millet depicts a poignant scene of a peasant woman, her face obscured, riding a donkey laden with supplies as a man carrying a tool follows behind them. The artwork's somber palette and stark composition, rendered in black and white chalk on paper, underscores the harsh realities of peasant life in 19th century France. This piece, housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, embodies Millet's signature style of portraying the dignity and toil of rural workers, capturing the essence of Realist art through its unidealized portrayal of everyday life.