La Grande Bergere (The Large Shepherdess)

Jean Francois Millet

Considered one of Millet's etched masterpieces, "The Large Shepherdess," done in 1862, depicts a shepherdess standing in the shade, knitting while her dog watches the flock of sheep.

The plate was probably done by Millet for his own pleasure and was then requested by the publisher Cadart for publication by the Societe des Aquafortistes, but was not realized when Millet decided not to join the organization.

A few proofs were pulled by the printer Delatré using inks that run from black to brown and on varying sheets of antique papers, usually removed from albums, for Millet who was living in Barbizon, France.