DH112, 1949.3

Label

Millais was a founding member of the Pre-Raphelite Brotherhood - a group of English artists that championed realism and naturalism in art. Although Dickens opposed the movement, he became friends with Millais and Millais often painted Dickens's daughter Kate. Upon hearing Dickens had died, Millais rushed to Gad's Hill Place, Dickens house, to draw him. This drawing was made the day after Dickens died and gifted to Kate. Bandages were wrapped around the head to prevent the dead person's mouth hanging open.