Jean-François Millet's 'Going to Work' captures the essence of rural life with its depiction of a man and woman walking to work in the fields. The painting's earthy tones and expressive brushwork convey a sense of realism and the dignity of labour.

Jean-François Millet (1814-1875) was a French painter and one of the founders of the Barbizon school in rural France. He is noted for his scenes of peasant farmers; he saw in them a dignity often missing from academic painting. Millet's work often focuses on the relationship between humans and the land, reflecting the realities of rural life. His paintings often depict the daily activities of rural workers, emphasising their connection to the earth and the cycle of seasons. 'Going to Work' depicts a man and woman walking across a field. The man carries a pitchfork over his shoulder, while the woman walks beside him. The figures are rendered with a sense of weight and solidity, their forms defined by strong light and shadow. The colour palette is muted, dominated by earthy tones of brown, green, and ochre. The brushwork is loose and expressive, adding to the sense of immediacy and realism. The composition is simple and direct, focusing attention on the figures and their relationship to the surrounding environment.