Millet's Overlooked Influence on Modern Art Explored in New Van Gogh Museum Exhibition
A new exhibition at the Van Gogh Museum, titled 'Jean-François Millet: Sowing the Seeds of Modern Art,' examines the profound but often overlooked influence of French realist painter Jean-François Millet on subsequent generations of artists. Millet (1814-1875), a key figure of the Barbizon school, inspired modern masters including Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, and Salvador Dalí. Van Gogh regarded Millet as an 'artistic hero' and produced twenty 'copies' of Millet's works during his final year, drawn by shared themes of peasant life and landscapes. The exhibition marks the first time this aspect of Millet's legacy has been the focus of a dedicated show.
Key facts
- Exhibition title: Jean-François Millet: Sowing the Seeds of Modern Art
- Venue: Van Gogh Museum
- Millet was a leading figure of the Barbizon school and realism
- Millet influenced van Gogh, Monet, Munch, and Dalí
- Van Gogh called Millet an 'artistic hero'
- Van Gogh painted twenty 'copies' of Millet's works in his final year
- The exhibition focuses on Millet's influence on modern art for the first time
- Shared themes include peasant daily life and landscapes
Entities
Artists
- Jean-François Millet
- Vincent van Gogh
- Claude Monet
- Edvard Munch
- Salvador Dalí
Institutions
- Van Gogh Museum
- Barbizon school
Locations
- Gréville-Hague
- France
- Barbizon
- Netherlands