The Sower, after Millet c. 1881 - 1882

Matthijs Maris's "The Sower, after Millet" (c. 1881-1882) is a charcoal drawing that depicts a sower in a dark, atmospheric landscape. The composition focuses on the lone figure of the sower, who is shown in profile, casting seeds into the ground. Maris's work reflects the influence of Jean-François Millet, a renowned French painter of peasant life, specifically his famous painting "The Sower" (1850). Maris's interpretation emphasizes a sense of solitude and melancholic atmosphere, adding a somber and introspective tone to the traditional subject of peasant labor. The drawing is currently housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and is a notable example of Maris's distinctive style, known for its atmospheric quality and melancholic mood.