The Wool Carder (recto); Fragmentary Sketch of Man Standing by Fence (verso) 1857 - 1858

Jean-François Millet's "The Wool Carder," rendered in graphite, presents a woman seated at her labor. The image participates in a broader artistic trend in mid-19th century France, one that sought to elevate the status of rural laborers. Millet and others pushed back against the idealized visions of country life that had long been fashionable. Note the woman's downcast gaze and the overall somber mood. Millet seems to avoid romanticizing her work. Millet was associated with the Barbizon School, a group of artists who favored painting en plein air, or directly from nature. His focus on rural life, however, also had political undertones. In the wake of the 1848 Revolution, there was growing interest in the lives of ordinary people, and the role of art in representing them. Art historians have explored how Millet's work engages with socialist ideas and reflects the changing social landscape of France. Further research into the economic conditions of rural laborers and the art market during this time sheds light on Millet's artistic choices.