Book Description
A handsome large-format monograph on the career and major workof the most successful British painter of the Victorian era. Now inpaperback, featuring 55 fine color reproductions. John Everett Millais(1829-96) was a child prodigy who entered the Royal Academy at theunprecedented age of eleven; he later rose to prominence as one of thefounders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. In the view of theillustrious writer John Ruskin, he was ``the most powerful of themall.'' He achieved fame and wealth as the painter of some of the era'smost popular pictures; he was equally at home with historical,literary, and religious themes as well as landscapes, genre paintings,and society portraits. His private life was considered scandalous (heran off with Ruskin's wife), yet he rose to the highest ranks ofBritish society. This elegant monograph celebrates the life and work ofthe great Pre-Raphaelite master, presenting 55 color reproductions ofhis finest work. Russell Ash's many works on art include TheImpressionists and Their Art and Toulouse Lautrec: The CompletePosters. 96 pp 7 1/2 x 10 55 color illustrations ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good reproductions, plodding text
Well researched, lively and accurate, but really just a traditional account of Millais' career, telling us little new about the paintings. Ash stumbles on reviews which could have suggested a radical re-evaluation ofMillais's late work, but he ignores the evidence. Nevertheless, it'swonderful to have reproductions of such neglected marvels as 'CallerHerrin' and the 'Ornithologist'. The reproductions are the thing here. ... Read more