Jean Francois Millet

Jean-François Millet (1814-1875) was a French painter and one of the leading figures of the Barbizon School. Born into a peasant family, Millet developed a deep connection to rural life and farming communities. He studied art in Paris and was influenced by the realism movement, which sought to depict everyday life and the struggles of the working class. Millet's paintings often featured rural landscapes, peasants, and farm laborers, and he was known for his attention to detail and the emotional resonance of his works. His most famous paintings include "The Gleaners," "The Angelus," and "The Sower." Millet's works were controversial in his time for their unidealized portrayal of rural life, but they went on to have a significant impact on the development of modern art.