The Winnower 1848

"The Winnower," painted in 1848 by Jean-François Millet, depicts a peasant farmer engaged in the laborious task of separating chaff from grain. The painting's muted palette and realistic portrayal of rural life are characteristic of Millet's Realist style, which celebrated the dignity of manual labor. The solitary figure, silhouetted against a dimly lit interior, evokes a sense of quiet hardship and the cyclical rhythm of agrarian life. This powerful image, now housed in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, continues to resonate with viewers centuries later.