JEAN-FRANCOIS MILLET Signed c. 1855 Charcoal Drawing Start Price USD 2,500.00 Current Price USD 2,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, July 06, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 13, 2008 Location Los Angeles See more about 'JEAN-FRANCOIS MILLET Signed c. 1855 Charcoal Drawing' Description     JEAN-FRANCOIS MILLET Signed c. 1855 Charcoal Drawing       Click to View Image Album This is a magnificent original signed museum quality conte crayon on paper drawing attributed to internationally acclaimed artist JEAN-FRANCOIS MILLET (French, 1814-1875), circa 1855.   "To tell the truth, the peasant subjects suit my temperament best; for I must confess, even if you think me a socialist, that the human side of art is what touches me most," wrote Jean-François Millet. Born to modestly successful Norman peasants, Millet began studying art in Cherbourg at eighteen. In 1837 he received funding to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After ten years of mixed success while he supported himself with portraits, “The Winnower” appeared at the Salon of 1848 and was the first of his peasant pictures to sell. In 1849 he moved to Barbizon in Fontainebleau forest, where he lived for the rest of his life, mostly in grueling poverty. There he painted his most famous works, including “The Man with a Hoe”. Millet portrayed the gravity, hardship, and dignity of common agricultural laborers, but, despite being labeled a "Socialist revolutionary," his viewpoint was less political than fatalistic. Between 1865 and 1869, he produced over one hundred pastels, considered among his finest works. After decades of struggle, he was awarded a medal at the 1867 Exposition Universelle and received the Légion d'Honneur in 1868. Millet's humanity toward peasant life deeply impressed many painters, including Vincent Van Gogh.   This spectacular drawing is signed on the front lower right “J.F.M”. It is in excellent condition and has been laid down to a backing board. It measures 16 ¼” x 18 ¼” and is beautifully matted and framed in a gold leafed wood frame for a total size of 23 ½” x 25 ½”. PROVENANCE: Private Collection, Paris. A similar 10 5/8” x 17 ¾” crayon drawing by Millet sold at Sotheby’s, London on June 15th 2004 for $117,884. Please scroll down on the item description to view additional photographs. Winning bidder please add $40.00 packing & shipping within the US, plus required insurance. Payment is due within 7 days. Please view my other auctions and ebay store for additional museum quality fine art and collectibles. Payment       I accept the following forms of payment: PayPal Money Order Personal Check Click to View Image Album Click to View Image Album Click to View Image Album     FREE scheduling, supersized images and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager.    FREE scheduling, supersized images and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager. Over 100,000,000 served. Get FREE counters from Vendio today! Place a Bid!