Who painted Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz)?

Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz) was painted by Jean François Millet in 1851.

Where can I see Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz)?

Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz) is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz)?

Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz) is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz)

Jean François Millet , 1851

Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz) is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean François Millet. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

By portraying these specific characters, the image represents the scriptural story of loyalty, providence, and the origins of the lineage of King David.

Jean-François Millet's 1851 oil painting depicts the biblical figures Ruth and Boaz, illustrating a narrative from the Old Testament. The work is classified as religious art, centering on the encounter between the Moabite gleaner and the wealthy landowner. By portraying these specific characters, the image represents the scriptural story of loyalty, providence, and the origins of the lineage of King David.

The composition focuses entirely on this sacred interaction, distinguishing it from Millet's more common scenes of anonymous peasant labor by grounding the subject in a specific theological context.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1851, this work is an oil painting applied to a canvas support. The composition measures 67.3 cm in height and 119.7 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece is classified within the religious genre, depicting the biblical figures of Ruth and Boaz. The artist, Jean-François Millet, utilized these traditional materials to render the narrative scene.

Overview

Harvesters Resting (Ruth and Boaz) is an 1851 oil painting by Jean-François Millet, a leading figure of the Barbizon school. The work blends Realist depictions of rural labor with a biblical narrative, set amidst a harvesting scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1851, the painting is now part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s collection. Its inclusion reflects Millet’s significance in 19th-century French art, particularly in the Barbizon school’s emphasis on outdoor life and realism.

Context

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century French Realism, the painting reflects Millet’s interest in portraying the everyday lives and struggles of the rural working class, infused with a biblical allegory.

Legacy

Harvesters Resting contributes to Millet’s legacy as a painter who elevated the dignity of peasant life in art. It influences subsequent depictions of rural labor and the integration of religious narratives into everyday scenes.

Cornfield with Harvesters, Peter De Wint

Artist & collection

Artist

Jean François Millet

Jean-François Millet (French pronunciation:; 4 October 1814 – 20 January 1875) was a French painter and one of the founders of the Barbizon school in rural France.