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Los Angeles. The J. Paul Getty Museum. January 2002–November 2003 (during TMA renovation).
Lille, France. Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille. Jean–François Millet, October 14, 2017–January 21, 2018.
Ohio. Columbus Museum of Art. Through Vincent's Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources, November 12, 2021–February 6, 2022.
California. Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Through Vincent's Eyes: Van Gogh and His Sources, February 27–May 22, 2022.

A somber peasant clasps her swaddled child, who lies with arms outstretched in a in a cross-like position. Barely visible at upper left, a small crucifix hangs in a niche. Jean-François Millet likely intended this painting as a contemporary version of a Christian theme. In Renaissance religious art, which he admired, the Virgin Mary often cradled the infant Jesus as she foresaw and mourned her child’s future. Millet established a low viewpoint and rendered the figures nearly life-size, giving the mother and child a dignified, monumental presence.

More to the Story
Artists of the past often romanticized rural life, picturing peasants relaxing in idyllic settings. Millet, however, portrayed the difficult lives of French peasants realistically and respectfully. He imbued impoverished rural laborers with dignity and spirituality in their humble work and close connection to nature. Millet shocked contemporary art critics, who were unaccustomed to seeing poor peasants presented as the heroes of their own stories.

Created by the artist; consigned to the estate of the previous; purchased by Charles Tillot, May 10, 1875 (no. 46). Acquired by George W. Burnett, London. (Acquired by Scott and Fowles, New York, NY); purchased by Charles Phelps Taft [1843-1929] and Anna Sinton Taft [1850-1931], Cincinnati, OH, September 19, 1903; donated to the Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts, Cincinnati, OH, May 21, 1927 [1]; transferred to the Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati, OH, September 1, 2006 [2].

Notes:

[1]. The Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts (CIFA) was formed by Charles Phelps Taft and Anna Sinton Taft on March 22, 1927 as a non-profit corporation to stimulate the development of art and music in the City of Cincinnati and run the Taft Museum of Art, which opened in 1932. The Tafts offered $1 million for a permanent endowment fund, on the condition that the community raise $2.5 million in matching funds, which was achieved by December 3, 1928. [2]. Until August 31, 2006, the Museum was owned by CIFA, administered by CIFA’s Board of Trustees, and governed by the Taft Museum Board of Overseers. On September 1, 2006, the Museum legally separated from CIFA and began operations as its own incorporated 501(c)(3) entity. This separate incorporation led to the transfer to the separate entity after August 31, 2006 of all tangible assets comprising the Taft collection.

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