John Everett Millais Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sir John Everett Millais was a renowned English painter and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, an influential art movement in the mid-19th century. Born in 1829, Millais showed exceptional artistic talent from a young age. He entered the Royal Academy Schools at only 11 years old, becoming the youngest student ever admitted.

Throughout his career, Millais created an impressive body of work that included portraits, landscapes, and historical scenes. Some of his most famous paintings include “Ophelia” (1851-52), “The Blind Girl” (1856), and “Bubbles” (1886). Millais was also a skilled illustrator, providing drawings for numerous books and magazines.

In 1896, the year of his death, Millais was living at 2 Palace Gate in the fashionable Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. This elegant residence was befitting of his status as a prominent artist and member of the Royal Academy, where he served as President from 1896 until his passing. Millais was the first artist to be honored with a hereditary title, becoming a baronet in 1885.

Kensington and Chelsea has long been associated with the arts and is home to several important cultural institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Albert Hall. The borough’s grand architecture and leafy squares have attracted many notable residents over the years, from writers and musicians to artists like Millais.

Today, the blue plaque at 2 Palace Gate serves as a reminder of Millais’ significant contributions to British art and his enduring legacy as one of the most influential painters of the Victorian era.