Artwork
Portrait of a young Girl
Portrait of a young Girl is an oil painting by the Pre-Raphaelite artist John Everett Millais. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created by John Everett Millais around 1872, is a representative work of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Millais was a founding member of the group and a skilled artist who began his training at the Royal Academy Schools at a young age.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a young girl with blonde hair, dressed in a red top and white skirt, sitting with her hands clasped in her lap. Her neutral expression and relaxed posture convey a sense of serenity, while her gaze is directed to the side, away from the viewer.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro and attention to detail create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the portrait. The Pre-Raphaelite emphasis on detailed realism and vibrant color is evident in the work, with the girl's clothing and surroundings rendered in a highly realistic manner.
History & Provenance
The painting is now part of the Ashmolean Museum's collection. Millais's work was influenced by his early training at the Royal Academy Schools, where he studied from the age of eleven.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Baronet ( MIL-ay; 8 June 1829 – 13 August 1896) was an English painter and illustrator who was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
