Christ in the House of His Parents Sir John E Millais ( ): Christ in the House of His Parents (Carpenter’s Shop) 1850

Sir John Everett Millais: The Artist - Born on June 8, 1829 in Southampton into a prominent Jersey-based family. - Considered a prodigy in art, he was accepted into the Royal Academy schools at the age of eleven. (youngest student ever admitted) - There he established ties with William Holman Hunt and Dante Gabriel Rosetti, who together formed the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in His most controversial work was the Carpenter’s Shop, the piece presented before. - Other famous works and contributions to the movement: Ophelia (1852) and various interpretations of Tennyson’s poems. - Was famous for his intricate detail and meticulous work.

Sir John Everett Millais: Weird Facts - He was really good friends with John Ruskin. (Yeah remember him?) The critic, who at one point was considered The Critic of England who liked Gothic architecture, defended the Pre-Raphaelite movement, etc. - Euphemia Gray, Ruskin’s wife, was used often by Millais as a model…That is until they fell in love and she divorced him to marry Millais. - After Millais’s marriage…he happened to become a more “broader” painter, and just so happened to get the tongue-lashing from Ruskin’s critiques. Ruskin at one point called his style a complete “catastrophe”. - He was considered a sell out by his peers, in order to become popular and wealthy. Some critics believe that it was the resentment of his wealth… - His style later on in life changed to a more Impressionist outlook, and he admired the styles of Velázquez and Rembrandt. - He was a publisher and illustrator for books, which attributed greatly to his popularity. One of which was Bubbles (1886). - Served as an associate member for Royal Academy of Arts in 1853 and then a full member soon after. - He was the first artist to be granted baronetcy (the title of baron), a typically hereditary title. - He was elected as the president of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1896 but died of throat cancer the same year.

So what about it? Christ in the House of His Parents

The original sketch of Christ in the House of His Parents (Carpenter’s Shop). Pencil/paper sketch. (1850). Does not include the ladder, the dove, or John the Baptist.

Christ in the House of His Parents Relax, this is not a mistake/repeat.

Christ in the House of His Parents -The painting was done in oil, and was completed in Millais actually used a real-life carpenter’s shop on Oxford Street as his background layout. - The verse Zechariah 13:6 were depicted along with painting: “And one shall say unto him, what are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” - The scene is a depiction of Jesus being comforted after being injured. John is bringing water and vinegar to disinfect the wound. - Symbols include: The ever present theme of crucifixion: depicted as nails, the wood, the cut on little Jesus’ hand, the blood on his left foot, and the vinegar (which was offered to him at the crucifixion). Sheep in the background: The image of Jesus as a shepherd. The dove: The symbol of peace and innocence. It also serves as a symbol of the holy spirit. The heavy lighting and detail on the table: symbolizes the communion table. John carrying the water and vinegar: symbolizing Jesus’ baptism. - Currently it is displayed at the Tate Museum.

Christ in the House of His Parents - The painting caused a huge controversy. The painting was considered by many a blasphemous and disrespectful representation of Jesus. - There were many who thought the “plain” and “normal” depiction of Jesus unacceptable, one of which was Charles Dickens. - Dickens described the image of Christ as a “a hideous, wry-necked, blubbering, red-haired boy in a night-gown.” - He also disliked the gloomy atmosphere and the apparent depiction of a stereotypical alcoholic, or low-class family, rather the depiction of the sacred family. - Ruskin however, approved of the painting, and supported it through both criticism and through financial and social assistance to get the Pre-Raphaelite artists known. = / Image of Dickens, apparently angrily jeering at the painting…

Other Famous Works: Ophelia (1852) The Blind Girl (1856) Bubbles (1886) The Boyhood of Raleigh (1871)

Sources: - Images (Ophelia/The Blind Girl/The Boyhood of Raleigh) and information on Millais: Wikipedia.com - Tate Museum’s brief description: hang.com/LCP_ArtNotes/Sir_J_Millais_ChristChild.htm - Black and white image of Millais: - Original drawing of painting image and painting image: - Bible verse: - Image of Dickens: - Image of Bubbles: