Fine Art Friday – Millet in March
La Précaution Maternelle, 1857 Jean-François Millet
I wish I could tell you more about this little-known Millet. If you are fluent in French read about it here.
The subject of a mother preparing her child to go outside reminds me of this Jessie Wilcox Smith.
Do you have a preference? They are both quite lovely.
Addendum: Dana quite helpfully explained this picture in the comments section. My original post showed this smaller picture which looked *to me* like white trousers. If laughter is the best medicine, I’m very healthy right now!
Completed
Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope
Words by Heart by Ouida Sebestyen
The Song of Roland
The Rule of St. Benedict
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
In the Middle of
The Discarded Image by C.S. Lewis
An Anthology of Old English Poetry trans. Charles W. Kennedy
Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart
Civilization of the Middle Ages by Norman Cantor
Life is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman
That Distant Land by Wendell Berry
Languishing, still I refuse to reshelve the books…yet
Kepler’s Witch by James Connor
On the Incarnation by Athanasius
Miniatures and Morals by Peter Leithart
Tomorrow I plan to post my Spring Reading Challenge list. Would you like to join us?
A Living Pencil 
Well, Carol, I’m not sure if I should tell you or not. Perhaps we should all believe as you say *mother preparing a child to go outside* It’s the word *go* which is significant.
However, the French states that the peasant mother is helping her child tinkle (uriner)….if you know what I mean.
A *genre painting*
Blessings fm GA,Dana
Are you ok mom?
ROARING WITH LAUGHTER!!! DANA YOU MADE MY DAY!!!!I don’t know how I’m going to stop laughing. My son is worried about me right now. Oh, my friend, please never stop reading my blog. You catch all my “oops”!!Do you remember June 3, 2006 http://www.xanga.com/magistramater/492618765/book-talk.html where I posted a picture of a woman with a book smiling, holding a book and you caught that the book was a collection of dirty jokes?My eyesight really must be going! Oh, girl, we have to meet some day.
You may need stronger glasses mom.
I can see NOW that there are no clothes on the bottom. I had thought they were light trousers.
Mother I know you are supposed to laugh at dumb mistakes but not pass out from laughing.
I hope you still like me…..
I actually thought it was light trousers and only learned the difference when reading the essay, which also says that the mother is lifting her youngster’s shirt.
Glad you have a good sense of humor.
Luv ya,
Dana
Are you kidding, Dana? This is the funniest thing!! I probably could have worked the essence of the essay (uriner isn’t hard to decipher) but rusty is too good an adjective for my French.I’m an thankful, grateful to receive correction, especially from you, my dear Dana.
Belly laughing thankful mom?
Belly laughing, falling off your chair laughing?
If laughter is medicine then my mom is the healthiest woman alive.
Oh, Carol,This comment section is better than an afternoon nap! What a funny thing. “Are you okay Mom?” Oh, my. You are a kindred spirit!Laughing with you,Diane
Thank you for the laugh!! You all made my day.
Kcaarin
I decided in the last moments before I slept last night that this picture should be titled “Potty Training in the Nineteenth Century”. If it had had a title like that I wouldn’t have made the mistake! <grin>
How about the little girl watching!
I can almost hear you laughing!
oh thanks for starting the day right for me. hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
I thought she needed to aim a bit more away from the center of the doorway! Potty training for mama as well.
I miss you to!
I am Glad you didnt help prepare me to “go” like that when I was growing up!!!!!! Thanx for the laugh !!!
Trousers? Well… At least we all got a good laugh! Besides, I needed the laugh tonight. Thanks!