Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt

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© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt

by Rupert Potter
albumen print, July 1886
6 1/4 in. x 8 1/2 in. (160 mm x 216 mm) overall
Given by Jack Edward Ladeveze, 1993
Photographs Collection
NPG x131236

Sitterback to top

  • Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt (1829-1896), Painter and President of the Royal Academy; ex-officio Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. Sitter in 76 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 43 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Rupert Potter (1832-1914), Barrister and photographer; father of Beatrix Potter. Artist or producer associated with 29 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Millais's Kensington home at 2 Palace Gate was located near to the Potters' family home, and he often visited to request Rupert's photographic services. Likewise, Potter frequently visited Palace Gate and Beatrix occasionally accompanied her father. Millais is shown in his studio with his painting Lilacs (1886) and an unfinished portrait of the 5th Earl of Rosebery (1886) on easels.

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Events of 1886back to top

Current affairs

The Liberals win the election after the Irish Nationalists, including John Dillon, side with them over Home Rule, and Gladstone resumes the seat of Prime Minister. The failure of the first Home Rule Bill divides the Liberal party; those opposed to Home Rule break away to form the Liberal Unionist Party, supporting the Conservatives. This results in a Liberal loss at an emergency election called, and the Marquess of Salisbury becomes Prime Minister for the second time.

Art and science

The Severn Tunnel is opened, freeing up the route between London and South Wales.
Pears' soap company buy the copyright to John Millais's painting Bubbles, using it in an iconic and enduringly recognisable advertisement. Millais, however, attracted strong criticism from the art community, who protested against the debasement and commercialisation of art.

International

The American poet Emily Dickinson dies, aged 54. Dickinson wrote over 1,700 poems, which first came to light in 1890, and is recognised as one of America's most important writers.
The Statue of Liberty, designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, is erected on Bedloe's island. The huge copper statue, a gift from the French to the United States to commemorate the centennial of American independence, is an iconic figure of liberty, and America itself.

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