Woman with a Rake — History & Facts
In Woman with a Rake, we see a woman standing in a rural landscape, holding a rake. The colors are earthy, with greens and browns dominating the scene. The figure is dressed in simple, traditional clothing, reflecting the life of a peasant.
The background features fields and trees, emphasizing the agricultural setting. The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a common medium for Jean-François Millet. The brushwork is loose yet deliberate, capturing the texture of the woman's clothing and the surrounding landscape. The use of light and shadow adds depth to the composition, highlighting the woman's figure against the backdrop.
The dimensions are approximately 60 x 80 cm, making it a medium-sized work. Jean-François Millet was a key figure in the Realism movement, focusing on the lives of rural workers. Woman with a Rake exemplifies his interest in depicting the dignity of peasant life. An interesting fact about this work is that it reflects Millet's commitment to social issues, as he often portrayed the struggles and labor of the working class.
This painting is currently housed in the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.
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
