Artwork
Retreat from the Storm
Retreat from the Storm is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean François Millet. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1846, Retreat from the Storm is an oil painting on canvas by Jean-François Millet. The work measures 46.4 cm in height and 38.1 cm in width. It depicts a woman and a girl within a stormy atmosphere and is classified as a painting consistent with mid-19th-century European practice. The piece is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is inventoried as part of the museum's permanent holdings. Specific details regarding its commission, early ownership, or the circumstances of its acquisition are not documented in the available sources.
Overview
Jean-François Millet, a French painter and co-founder of the Barbizon school, created Retreat from the Storm in 1846. This oil painting is a notable example of the Realism movement, portraying a woman and child seeking refuge from a harsh storm. It aligns with Millet's broader artistic focus on the daily struggles and unvarnished realities of rural existence.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman in a wide-brimmed hat and blue shawl, with a child clinging to her, both huddled against a dark, stormy sky. This scene emphasizes the vulnerability of rural life and the constant battle against natural elements. Millet consistently explored the hardships and simple dignity of peasant life, presenting an empathetic view of their daily existence.
Context
As a leading figure of the Barbizon school and the Realism movement, Jean-François Millet dedicated his career to depicting the lives of rural laborers.
As a leading figure of the Barbizon school and the Realism movement, Jean-François Millet dedicated his career to depicting the lives of rural laborers. Retreat from the Storm exemplifies this commitment, moving away from idealized subjects to focus on the unvarnished realities of everyday existence. His work contributed significantly to the shift in artistic focus towards ordinary people and their environments.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
