Girl carrying Water — History & Facts
In Girl carrying Water, Jean-François Millet depicts a young girl in a rural setting, balancing a large water jug on her head. The colors are earthy, with warm browns and greens dominating the scene. The girl's clothing is simple and reflects the working-class life of the time.
The background features a soft, natural landscape that adds to the painting's serene atmosphere. This artwork is an oil on canvas, showcasing Millet's characteristic Realism style. The brushwork is loose yet deliberate, allowing for a naturalistic representation of the girl and her environment. The dimensions are approximately 65 x 81 cm, making it a moderately sized painting that invites close inspection.
The composition draws the viewer's eye to the girl, emphasizing her role in the daily life of rural communities. Jean-François Millet was a leading figure in the Realism movement, focusing on the lives of peasants and laborers. This work, created in the 1870s, reflects his commitment to portraying the dignity of rural life. An interesting fact about this painting is that it captures the essence of hard work and the everyday struggles faced by women in agriculture.
Millet's ability to convey emotion through simple subjects has made this piece a notable work in his oeuvre.
More Artworks by Jean-François Millet

The Gleaners
Jean-François Millet

Gleaners
Jean-François Millet

Starry Night
Jean-François Millet

The Angelus
Jean-François Millet

Calling Home the Cows
Jean-François Millet

Watermill at the Foot of a Mountain, Allier
Jean-François Millet

The Keeper of the Flock
Jean-François Millet

The Sheepshearers
Jean-François Millet

Autumn Landscape with a Flock of Turkeys
Jean-François Millet

A Storm during Haymaking
Jean-François Millet
More Genre Scene Art

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Frans Hals

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt van Rijn

Bal du moulin de la Galette
Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans
Gustave Courbet

When Will You Marry?
Paul Gauguin
