International studio (30.1906/1907(1907))

The Holiday Art Books


The Drawings of Jean Francois Millet, with
Fifty Facsimile Reproductions of the Master’s
Work and an Introductory Essay by Leonce
Benedite. Limited Edition. Large 4to.
Pages vi, 36, 50. $20 net. Philadelphia: J. B.
Lippincott Company.
Millet’s drawings were and still are even more
eagerly sought after than his paintings. His austere
and virile line expressed his characteristic sim-
plicity of utterance. In the fifty drawings which
have been reproduced in facsimile in the beautiful
volume put forth by the Lippincott Company there
is given an insight of the more intimate sort into the
thought of the peasant poet and the mastery of his
pencil. The lack of self-consciousness in these
studies is almost abrupt. Throughout, it is plain
that Millet was not con-
cerned with himself. And
his record of the poor and
lowly is so straightforward
that it carries no ulterior
suggestion. He bestows
comprehension, not com-
miseration. In his thought
of Lazarus he betrays no
hint of Dives. He was, as
he insisted, a peasant. His
was an instance of that
genius which may appear
no one can tell where, and
which, so far as we can
recognise, is utterly inde-
pendent of its conditions.
From more propitious en-
vironment mere talent can
arise into notice, but from
this no aptitude, unless it
prove of the finest fibre, is
likely to emerge. So it hap-
pens that there are precious
few fitted to understand
such a man, few whose
roots are so firmly in the
soil and whose tops so close
against the sky. Poets of
propaganda, who, though
they may have worked with
a youthful hoe, never could
pretend to be peasants, fall
into their own trap and
misread their idol. This
half-hundred of drawings
confirms the reiterated
proof that it was not the

indignant fire of a prophet that burned in Millet,
but the steadfast warmth of a brother of men.
The introduction by Leonce Benedite sums this
clearly and gracefully. It is well, too, to place the
work, as has been done here, with regard to con-
temporaries and to remind us that Millet excelled
by worth, not novelty. The drawings themselves
would have made an interesting technical theme,
but Mr. Benedite had in mind, perhaps, the mast-
er’s freedom from preoccupation in technique. The
publication carries the stamp of authentic value.
Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. 4to. Pages
18, xlviii. $2.50 net.
Drawings of Gainsborough. 4to. Pages 14,
xliii. $2.50 net.

Courtesy J. B. Lippincott Company
STUDY FOR “THE GLEANERS”
ILLUSTRATION (REDUCED) OF
THE DRAWINGS OF JEAN FRANCOIS MILLET

BY MILLET

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