Biography

Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Baronet, was a prominent English painter and illustrator born in 1829 and passed away in 1896. He was a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group that sought to reform art by rejecting the mechanistic approach adopted by the Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Millais was a child prodigy, becoming the youngest student to enter the Royal Academy Schools at the age of eleven. His early works, such as 'Christ in the House of His Parents' and 'Ophelia', are celebrated for their attention to detail and vibrant color, hallmarks of the Pre-Raphaelite style. As his career progressed, Millais transitioned towards a more realistic style, which, while commercially successful, was met with mixed critical reception at the time. Despite this, his later works have been re-evaluated and are now appreciated for their contribution to the broader art movements of the late nineteenth century. Millais's personal life, particularly his marriage to Effie Gray, who was previously married to the critic John Ruskin, also attracted public interest. His works remain in high demand among collectors, with pieces held in major collections such as Tate Britain.