An Autumn Idyll 1892

Francis Davis Millet created this idyllic scene of two women, a scene that is resonant with the cultural aspirations of its time. Millet, who tragically lost his life on the Titanic, was a figure deeply embedded in the art and society of the late 19th century, and here we see two women picking grapes. The women, adorned in classical-style gowns, evoke a sense of timelessness, yet the setting suggests a very particular kind of leisure that was available to few in Millet’s time. While the artist certainly revels in aesthetic beauty, his choice of subject and setting also reflect the social values and class aspirations of the Gilded Age. The image avoids the gritty realities of industrialization, and presents an idealized vision of beauty, leisure, and femininity. The painting invites us to reflect on the power of images to construct narratives about gender, class, and national identity. As you take in the scene, consider the tension between the image's aesthetic appeal and its implications.