Sir John Everett Millais

Sir John Everett Millais (1829-1896) was an eminent English painter, celebrated as one of the founders and key figures of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group that revolutionized Victorian art with its emphasis on intense detail, vivid color, and a return to the simplicity and emotional depth found in early Italian art. Born on June 8, 1829, in Southampton, England, Millais displayed prodigious artistic talent from a young age and began his formal training at the Royal Academy Schools. Millais's career took off when he co-founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848 alongside Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Holman Hunt. Their movement sought to challenge the prevailing artistic norms by rejecting what they perceived as the mechanistic approach adopted by the Mannerist successors of Raphael, hence their name. Millais's early works within this period are characterized by meticulous attention to naturalistic detail, vibrant hues, and narratives drawn from literature, mythology, and history. One of his most famous and controversial paintings during this phase is "Ophelia" (1851–1852), which exemplifies the Pre-Raphaelite fascination with Shakespearean themes and the beauty of nature. The painting's intricate depiction of flora and Ophelia's tragic demise garnered both admiration and criticism for its departure from traditional aesthetics. As his career progressed, Millais's style evolved towards broader brushwork and a more polished technique. His later works often depicted contemporary life with a heightened sense of realism and a warmer palette. Notable among these are portraits such as "The Boyhood of Raleigh" (1870) and "Bubbles" (1886), the latter famously used in a Pears Soap advertisement, highlighting Millais's crossover into popular culture. Throughout his life, Millais enjoyed significant commercial success and was elected to the Royal Academy in 1863. He was later knighted in 1885, becoming Sir John Everett Millais, and also served as President of the Royal Academy from 1896 until his death on August 13, 1896. Beyond his impact on the Pre-Raphaelite movement, Millais left a lasting legacy in British art history through his versatility and ability to adapt to changing tastes while maintaining a high standard of craftsmanship and narrative power in his work.