Jean-François Millet, peasant and painter; . xtremest famine. Millet and his wife did not complain; they askednothing, but we knew their distress. One of us went to the museum,then to the Direction of the Beaux Arts, and got a hundred francs,which we took immediately to the painter. It was at twilight; Milletwas in his studio, sitting on a box, his back bent like a man who ischilled. He said Good-day, but did not move. It was freezingcold in the miserable room. When the money was handed him, hesaid : Thank you; it comes in time. We have not eaten for twodays, but the important thing is that th
Jean-François Millet, peasant and painter; . xtremest famine. Millet and his wife did not complain; they askednothing, but we knew their distress. One of us went to the museum,then to the Direction of the Beaux Arts, and got a hundred francs,which we took immediately to the painter. It was at twilight; Milletwas in his studio, sitting on a box, his back bent like a man who ischilled. He said Good-day, but did not move. It was freezingcold in the miserable room. When the money was handed him, hesaid : Thank you; it comes in time. We have not eaten for twodays, but the important thing is that the children have not to-day they have had food. He called his wife, saying, I amgoing to get wood ; I am very cold. He did not say another word,and never spoke of it again. A few days after, he moved to the Ruedu Delta. In April, M. Ledru-Rollin, urged by Jeanron, came to seehim, and gave him a commission of eighteen hundred francs. bought also the Winnower, for five hundred francs;this was a great deal in Portrait of Millet (1847). 1^ /Sir- PEASANT AND PAINTER. 77 Then came the insurrection of June. Millet, again overtakenby poverty, was painting a midwifes sign when the first guns werefired. The midwife carried off her sign, and left the artist thirtyfrancs as pay. * It saved us, said Millet, for we managed to live two weekson the money, until the insurrection and the troubles which followedit were quieted. How often I have blessed this unexpected help ! A few days after, he painted a Samson, asleep beside Delilah,who is about to cut his hair. It is a little picture, of a finely balancedcomposition and beautiful color. He also painted a Mercurycarrying off the flocks of Argus. But these pictures did not cover for a song was ordered; Millet made the drawing, andsent the lithographic stone to the publisher. The price was thirtyfrancs: he was paid by insolence ; the door was shut in his face. He then drew two Liberties, but they sold n
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1881
