Farm near Vichy 

Jean-François Millet made this watercolor and black crayon drawing, Farm near Vichy, capturing a French landscape in a way that balances the personal and the political. Millet, who came from a peasant family, often depicted rural life, but not in the idealized, romantic way that was popular at the time. Instead, he showed the daily lives and labor of the working class, which was quite radical. This piece, while less overtly political than his paintings of laborers, still reflects his deep connection to the land and his understanding of rural existence. Look at the modest farm buildings, almost hidden among the trees and greenery. Consider what it meant to portray this view? Millet was not just painting a landscape; he was portraying a particular way of life. The intimacy and the care with which he rendered this scene reflects a deep emotional connection.