John Everett Millais

John Everett Millais was born in 1829 in Southampton, England, and became one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. A child prodigy, he entered the Royal Academy Schools at the age of eleven and quickly distinguished himself through his exceptional technical skill. Millais and his fellow Pre-Raphaelites sought to revive the detail, clarity, and sincerity of early Renaissance art. His early works are known for their vivid color, precise detail, and literary or historical themes.

Among his most famous paintings are Ophelia and The Blind Girl, which combine emotional depth with meticulous observation of nature. Later in his career, Millais gradually adopted a broader and more conventional style that brought him great public success. He became one of the most celebrated artists in Victorian Britain and was eventually elected President of the Royal Academy. Millais died in 1896. Today, he is remembered as a central figure in the Pre-Raphaelite movement and a major force in 19th-century British art.