Artwork
The Diggers (Les Becheurs)
The Diggers (Les Becheurs) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Jean François Millet. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in plate: Impr. par Aug Delâtre R. St. Jacque 171; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: 68.2690
- Markings
- Marked:Frank Baker Bristow (Lugt 982a)
About this work
Overview
The Diggers (Les Becheurs) is an 1855 etching on Japan paper by Jean-François Millet, a leading figure in the Barbizon school and Realism movement, known for his portrayals of rural peasant life.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts two men digging in a field, emphasizing the physical labor and daily existence of farmers, characteristic of Millet’s focus on the everyday lives of ordinary people.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching on Japan paper, the work showcases Millet’s skill in the medium, distinct from his more renowned oil paintings, with a level of detail highlighting the men’s exertion.
History & Provenance
The Diggers is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., reflecting its significance within Millet’s oeuvre and the broader Realism movement.
Own this work as a print
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.
