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Breaking Flax
(18th and 19th Centuries )
Despite the modest size of this painting, Millet has imparted a sense of grandeur and monumentality to the woman. Using ancient methods, she pulverizes sheaves of flax to separate the fibers for making linen.
Although the artist appears to remain objective in his treatment of the toiling peasants, his picture reflects a concern for the plight of the rural working classes that emerged in French society following the Revolution of 1848, in which the monarchy of Louis-Philippe was overthrown.
Inscription
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Sensier, February 1851, by purchase [from the artist, see E. Moreau-Nelaton, 1:92]; Henry Wallis, London [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; William T. Walters, Baltimore, prior to 1878, by purchase [from Wallis]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1894, by inheritance; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2024-2025 | Reinstallation 2024: Art and Process. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2014-2016 | From Rye to Raphael: The Walters Story. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. |
| 2002-2004 | A Magnificent Age: Masterpieces from the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City; Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte. |
| 1988-1989 | Van Gogh and Millet. Rijksmuseum Vincent Van Gogh, Amsterdam. |
| 1951 | From Ingres to Gauguin: French Nineteenth Century Paintings Owned in Maryland. Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore. |
| 1874 | [Exhibition title unknown, held at the French Gallery]. The French Gallery, London. |
| 1851 | General Exhibition of the Various Schools of Painters at Lichfield House. Lichfield House, London. |
| 1889-1890 | The Works of Antoine-Louis Barye. American Art Gallery (New York), New York. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 10/25/1951 | Treatment | cleaned; coated |
| 10/25/1951 | Treatment | cleaned; coated; other |
| 1/1/1953 | Examination | examined for condition |
| 1/11/1982 | Examination | examined for condition. |
| 7/16/1984 | Loan Consideration | examined for loan |
| 1/4/1985 | Treatment | examined for loan; repaired; cleaned; other |
| 4/27/1988 | Loan Consideration | examined for loan |
Geographies
France (Place of Origin)
Measurements
H: 18 1/16 x W: 14 5/8 in. (45.8 x 37.2 cm); Framed H: 30 1/2 x W: 27 1/4 x D: 5 1/4 in. (77.5 x 69.2 x 13.3 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by William T. Walters, before 1878
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.87