Artwork
The Knitting Lesson
The Knitting Lesson is an oil painting by the Realist artist Jean François Millet. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
Overview
The Knitting Lesson is a 1860 oil painting by Jean-François Millet, a key figure in the Barbizon school and the Realism movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene scene of a woman and child engaged in knitting together, conveying a sense of quiet domesticity and intergenerational connection.
Technique & Style
Millet's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, with a sliver of light from a window on the left illuminating the otherwise dimly lit room, and emphasizing the figures' forms.
History & Provenance
The Knitting Lesson is part of the Clark Art Institute's collection, exemplifying Millet's focus on rural peasant life and the dignity of labor.
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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.
