Two Men on a Rocky Shore c. 1854

This simple pencil sketch by Jean-François Millet depicts two men on a rocky shore. Created around 1854, the artwork captures the essence of the artist's interest in depicting the lives of ordinary people, particularly those engaged in manual labor. Millet is known for his realist paintings and drawings, which often depict the struggles of rural life. The sketchy and loose style of the drawing further emphasizes the artist's focus on the subject matter rather than detailed realism.