Artwork
Falling Leaves
Falling Leaves is a pastel drawing by the Impressionist artist Jean François Millet. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Falling Leaves is a drawing created by Jean-François Millet around 1866. It is executed in pastel and conté crayon on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a solitary figure observing a flock of sheep grazing on a hillside beneath bare trees, with a body of water and distant hills in the background. The desolate landscape suggests a rural scene, reflecting Millet's interest in peasant life and the natural world.
Technique & Style
Millet employed soft, blended colors and avoided sharp lines, achieving a nuanced texture through the combination of pastel and conté crayon. The medium's inherent characteristics contribute to the work's contrasting rough and smooth qualities.
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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.
