The Order of Release

1850

The scandal over “Christ in the House of His Parents”

Christ in the House of His Parents (1850) was judged excessively realistic, showing a working-class Holy Family in a messy carpentry workshop, and The Times called it outrageous. Millais was undaunted: the critic John Ruskin saw his outstanding talent at once and backed him, and his works were always accepted for the Academy’s exhibitions, however radical.

1853

Elected an associate member of the Royal Academy

In 1853 Millais was elected an associate member of the Royal Academy of Arts.

summer 1853

A summer at Glenfinlas: falling in love with Effie Ruskin

In the summer of 1853 John Ruskin and his wife Effie invited Millais to spend the summer with them at Glenfinlas, where Millais and Effie fell in love. Effie modelled for his The Order of Release; her marriage to Ruskin, which had lasted several years, was annulled after her parents realised something was wrong and she filed for annulment, and Millais and Effie then married.

3. Juli 1855

Married: Effie Gray

1855–1857

After his marriage he changes manner: faster and dearer

Marriage changed Millais: to support his growing family he began to paint more quickly and in greater quantity and to sell his pictures dearly, moving away from Pre-Raphaelite principles. Effie became a powerful promoter of his work, and together they secured commissions and widened their circle; he gained great popularity and a fortune (up to £30,000 a year), while William Morris and other critics accused him of selling out.

1857

Ruskin calls “Sir Isumbras” a catastrophe

Ruskin called Sir Isumbras (1857), in which Millais had departed sharply from Pre-Raphaelite technique, not even a failure but a catastrophe.