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First Steps, c. 1858-1866. Creator: Jean-Francois Millet (French, 1814-1875)
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First Steps, c. 1858-1866. Creator: Jean-Francois Millet (French, 1814-1875)
First Steps, c. 1858-1866. In the 1860s Millet developed the practice of adding pastel to his black chalk drawings of peasants and rural life, with the hope that the addition of colour would make his monochromatic drawings more marketable. Between 1865 and 1869, he worked almost exclusively in pastel, producing more than 100 works. The taste for " enhanced" or " pastelled drawings, " as Millet described them, grew among collectors and artists, and inspired a revival of the medium in the 1870s and 1880s. Here, in a fenced-in garden behind a house, parents encourage their child to walk for the first time. Delicate passages of blue, green, yellow, and red enliven the composition
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Media ID 19633153
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1814 1875 Jean Franc Ois Millet Jean François Millet French
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First Steps, c. 1858-1866
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating print that showcases the artistic brilliance of Jean-Francois Millet, a renowned French artist from the 19th century. In this masterpiece, Millet combines his signature black chalk drawings with vibrant pastel colors to create a visually striking composition. The scene depicts a fenced-in garden behind a house where parents are encouraging their child to take their first steps. The tender moment captures the essence of familial love and the universal joy of witnessing milestones in life. As we observe this intimate family scene, delicate passages of blue, green, yellow, and red enliven the composition, adding depth and emotion to the artwork. Millet's decision to incorporate pastel into his monochromatic drawings was driven by his desire to make them more marketable. This innovative approach proved successful as collectors and artists developed an affinity for these "enhanced" or "pastelled drawings". Consequently, Millet's work inspired a revival of pastels as an art medium in subsequent decades. This particular piece exemplifies Millet's mastery in capturing everyday rural life with sensitivity and authenticity. Through skillful use of color and meticulous attention to detail, he transports viewers into this serene domestic setting while evoking feelings of warmth and nostalgia. As admirers gaze upon "First Steps" they are invited not only to appreciate its aesthetic beauty but also reflect on the timeless themes it embodies - family bonds, growth, hopefulness - which continue to resonate
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