Jean François MilletFrench, 1814–1875The Sower
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “The Sower” now? Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Details
- Accession number
- 1944.76
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
In the life of Jean François Millet
The whole life1849
“Shepherdess Sitting at the Edge of the Forest”
At the Salon of 1849 he exhibited “Shepherdess Sitting at the Edge of the Forest”, a very small oil painting that marked a turning away from earlier idealised pastoral subjects in favour of a more realistic and personal approach.
1849
Son born: Jean-François Millet
June 1849
The move to Barbizon
In June 1849 Millet settled in Barbizon with Catherine and their children.
1850
An arrangement with Alfred Sensier
In 1850 Millet entered into an arrangement with Sensier, who provided the artist with materials and money in return for drawings and paintings, while Millet remained free to sell work to other buyers.
1850
The Salon of 1850: “The Sower” and “Haymakers”
At that year’s Salon he exhibited “Haymakers” and “The Sower”, his first major masterpiece and the earliest of the iconic trio of paintings that also included “The Gleaners” and “The Angelus”.
1853
First official recognition: a Salon medal in 1853
“Harvesters Resting” was the first work to garner him official recognition, a second-class medal at the Salon of 1853.
