Who is John Everett Millais-The Artist and Ophellia

Sir John Everett Millais was born in Southampton in 1829. His parents were well known and successful people. They moved to Jersey for a while and then to London in 1838 in order to help their son develop his art career. Millais became the youngest ever student at the Royal Academy in 1840, and was known as "The child", and his talent caused envy among the other students. He was very agile on his feet and afraid of nothing and this helped him survive the time at the Academy. He made lifelong friends at the Royal Academy in William Holman Hunt and Dante Gabriel Rosetti. This meeting caused the beginnings of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhod.

Millais is regarded by many as the most gifted of the three, and his attention to detail and long painting time for his works produced some amazing scenes. It is said the he would paint outside landscapes in summer and in winter add the figures.

A quote from Millais himself in 1888 describes some of his technique: "For my own part, I have often been labored, but whatever I am I am never careless. I may honestly say that I have never placed on idle touch on canvas; and that I have always been honest and hardworking; yet the worst pictures I ever painted in my life are those into which I threw the most trouble and labor, and I confess that I should not grieve were half my works to go to the bottom of the Atlantic-if I might choose the half to go."

His early works, as with the early works of the other Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, were not accepted well. A prominent art critic of the day John Ruskin wrote an article in The Times, supporting the young artists and it was not long before Millais and Ruskin got to know each other. Ruskin, his wile Effie and Millais went on a holiday to Scotland and a strong attraction developed between Millais and Effie, an acrimonious divorce followed, Effie and Millais married in 1855 and quickly had eight children. Even so, Ruskin provided critical support for this young painter.

After the marriage, Millais' style changed, and he was no longer economically possible to spend so much time on each painting. Some of the detail was no longer included, but it was in keeping with the style that was eagerly purchased. He also started painting portraits and is regarded as one of the best English portrait painters. Many have debated the economic circumstances paved the way for the new style and the world lost a great painter. In 1885, he was the first English painter to be made a Baronet.

In his later years, Millais could see that the quality of his work was declining. In 1892, he thought that he had influenza, but it turned out to be throat cancer, which he had contracted because of many years as a heavy pipe smoker. His health continued to deteriorate. In 1896, Queen Victoria, asked if there was anything that she could do. Millais asked if his wife could be accepted by her, as she had been excluded because of a scandal associated with the annulment of her first marriage. She became Lady Millais. He died a few months later.

After his death, many wrote against Millais for a variety of reasons, but in the end he produced some amazing pieces of art that are still appreciated today.

by David Nivala

For more information on some of the old masters go to http://uniquevintageprints.googlepages.com

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NOTE:

The image is

'Ophelia' from William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' who driven out of her mind by Hamlet's neglect and the murder of her father drowns in a stream ...

Considering Ophelia and lost love I have added this poem to this lens.

Dark wanderers flooding the night
Celtic tattoos pasted on the moon
dark poetry looming the skyline
looking for free recipes
for dreaming.

I will follow you into the dark
music without lyrics
wedding toasts for the foolish
of folly
whenever you call me.

Angels and airwaves
ancient healing
finding their way to me
despite my loss of
internal exploration at times
my heart does beat for their caresses.

Give me ultimate pleasure
or little tunes of hope
free games
or a Potter Trailer
from Autumn to ashes
so flowers can sing
I will follow you into the dark.
Nothing is so soothing
as whispers in the dark
saying we'll be fine.

Dark Fairy
elusive blossom
brings me printable gifts
and unique birdhouses
pictures of kittens
cats adorned with jeweled collars
kitty beds with pink ribbons.
Isn't that a fairies duty?
Making sure the flowers are content
not held captive
so fairy tales come alive?
Gifts on our back porch
despite the odds of feeling neglected
whenever my name is forgotten?

Fantasy fairies meet the darkness
afraid
as they find out who their friends are
secret friends
meeting fantasy art of exotic women
while forever pretending
only to be within docile pages
of the tattered book left on the table.

Dark Fairy
a queen between the lines
let out of page 765.
Despite my attempts to draw her in
unafraid to meet the present
laced by melodies
a musician's friend
Dark Fairy steadied her eyes on prizes.
Strong for mere determinations sake
she rises to meet her buried pride.
Everyone knows she says
amused
all who become wild women will one day be
female super heroes.
And with that printed inside her book of tales
she met the flowers ransom.

ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen: I am an artist, represented by Monkdogz Urban Art, New York. ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz: http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Magnusen/artist_magnusen.htm
FREE ART GIFTS, suitable for children plus prints, giclees, cards, available on my website: http://www.kathysart.com

The IMAGE is of my sculpture "Bleeding Wings5"

The IMAGE is of my sculpture "Bleeding Wings5"

Neon Blue is a "fictitious" character. She is the misunderstood in all of us and exactly as you perceive her to be. She is you and she is me, if you choose to attach yourself, even temporarily, to her emotions and discontent.

Neon Travels Far and Wide - Yet Only in Her Mind

Neon Blue came through an open window
beam of energy
she illuminated the room
with her screaming discontent.
Wounds too deep to dismiss
I could only hope to not make her shadow
mine own
while wondering if I could run far enough.

Born with a melancholy
that's what she told me
poetic moment
creating a romantic moment
out of the most disturbing chaos.

Never quite able to feel her wings
distracted by all those voices.
Various victims never noticed
outside her greying eyes
and misunderstood memories.

Neon Blue
so full of regret
the laughing was never loud enough
parties always started without her
even within her presence.
Parties are most fun
when anticipated upon
I guess.

A dreamer
prima dona
she simply could not help herself.
I'd like to say I understand her
but I confess
I never really will
no matter how many chances
colors on canvas
pen to paper
poetry of perplexing moments
I afford myself to do.

Naked
I remember her reaching out
chatting it up the mornings
hoping for glaring possibilities
to shine though
freshly cleaned windows
where lonely souls groom.

Sometimes I think of her
waiting
efforts on my part eventually
drained too dry to care.
Voices are within reach I guess
but at the moment
I count on past excuses
and make no contact at all.

There are adventures to be had
around any corner
all we have to do is decide to visit them.

Neon Blue so wanted to dance
experience a waltz without end
a party everlasting.
So sorry dear...
I tried.

Note: Neon Blue is a fictitious character. She is the misunderstood in all of us and exactly as you perceive her to be. She is you and she is me, if you choose to attach yourself, even temporarily, to her emotions and discontent.

ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen: I am an artist, represented by Monkdogz Urban Art, New York. ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz: http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Magnusen/artist_magnusen.htm

FREE ART GIFTS,suitable for children plus prints, giclees, cards, available on my website: http://www.kathysart.com

Blessings to the romantic in us all.. Kathy