The Sower

The Sower, an oil painting by the French artist Jean-François Millet from 1850, exemplifies his focus on Realism and Genre painting. Depicting a solitary figure sowing seeds in a vast field, the work emphasizes the dignity of rural labor. Millet produced several versions of this genre painting theme, highlighting his commitment to depicting everyday life. The composition and subject matter reflect Millet’s interest in lithography and his broader engagement with realistic, socially conscious art. The painting has been housed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston since 1917.