John Everett Millais

John Everett Millais was one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelites, and was arguably one of the most influential artists of this movement. Born in 1829 in England, Millais was a child prodigy. At eleven he was accepted into the Royal Academy Schools. In the late 1840’s was when he really began to make art which was considered Pre-Raphaelite. His “Christ in The House of His Parents stirred up a lot of controversy as it portrayed Christ in a working class household. However a few works like “A Huguenot” were incredibly successful. He made very detailed works and often paid great attention to the natural elements in his works. For example, one of his most famous works, “Ophelia”. Millais sat by the river featured in this painting to perfectly capture it. Millais married his friend’s, John Ruskin’s, ex wife, Effie. After marrying Effie Millais moved away from the Pre-Raphaelite style and began to paint more landscapes and illustrations.