Chih-Hsiung Wu

1864

Well

private collection

"The Shepherdess and the Sheep" is one of the representative works created by the Barbizon School master Millet in the 1860s, and it is also a part of Wu Zhixiong's collection. The shepherdess depicted by Millet has a tranquil posture, nestled against her flock of sheep, creating a tender yet resolute atmosphere. This painting not only presents a true portrayal of rural life but also embodies Millet's consistent humanistic spirit—placing ordinary laborers and natural landscapes at the heart of art, granting them dignity and spirituality. The work employs a deep and reserved tonal palette, revealing a solemn sense of serenity through the interplay of light and shadow. Through this piece, viewers can appreciate how Millet elevates everyday scenes to eternal symbols, and sense the profound gaze of 19th-century art on the relationship between "humans and nature."

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