About this sheet
This etching, titled L'Ouvrier (The Worker), was created by Eugène Henri Millet in 1873 and published by the renowned Parisian printmaker Alfred Cadart.
The scene portrays a group of workers, presumably during their leisure time, engaged in a simple game, perhaps reflecting a rare moment of respite from their strenuous labor. The setting is shaded by trees, with several figures in the background, emphasizing the communal aspect of working-class life.
Beneath the etching, a poetic verse by Jean Dolent accompanies the image, highlighting the juxtaposition between the workers’ leisure and their grueling labor, particularly the physically demanding task of pouring molten iron into molds—work that requires great precision and strength. The verse reads:
"Du Vin! _Versez! _ Buvons! _ demain Rude besogne / A la Fonte, bras nus, et le pied ferme au sol, / Verser du lourd Creuset dans le moule au long col / Le fer en fusion: Ce n'est pas jeu d'Ivrogne ! ...... / L'OUVRIER (JEAN DOLENT)"
Translation:
"Wine! _Pour! _Drink! _tomorrow, hard work / At the foundry, bare arms, and firm feet on the ground, / Pour the heavy crucible into the long-necked mold / The molten iron: It’s not a drunkard's game! ...... / THE WORKER (JEAN DOLENT)"
This etching was part of the L'Illustration Nouvelle, a collection of etchings published by a group of painter-engravers. It reflects the 19th-century interest in depicting the realities of working-class life, honoring the dignity and strength of the laborers. The print was issued as part of the L'Illustration Nouvelle par une Société de Peintres-Graveurs à l'Eau-Forte in its fifth year, Volume V, on November 1, 1873, with number 219 marking its place in the series.
Provenance:
- Eugène Henri Millet: Etcher and designer, active around 1870, known for his detailed and evocative portrayals of laborers and everyday life.
- Alfred Cadart: A prominent Parisian printer and publisher (1828–1875) who played a crucial role in the promotion of etchings and supported the development of original graphic arts during the 19th century. His publishing house was located at Rue des Mathurins, Paris.
This work exemplifies the 19th-century etching revival and the rise of socially conscious art, focusing on the lives and struggles of the working class.
In the etching L'Ouvrier (The Worker) by Eugène Henri Millet, the group of men appears to be engaged in a game of boules or pétanque, a popular outdoor game in France. The men are gathered along a shaded pathway, bending down to examine or throw metal balls (possibly boules) towards a small target ball, which is typical of the game.
The atmosphere seems casual and relaxed, with the men enjoying a brief moment of leisure during a break from their hard labor, as suggested by the accompanying poem about their demanding work in the foundry. The setting of trees and benches further emphasizes this recreational aspect, offering a contrast to their usual physically strenuous activities.
