17 Works, Today, June 8th. is John Everett Millais’ day, his story, illustrated with footnotes #157
The Ransom, circa 1860 and circa 1862
Oil on canvas
114.3 × 129.5 cm (45 × 50.9 in)
Getty Center
An armored knight, still in his riding boots and accompanied by his page in mud-splattered stockings, seems to have hastily gotten off his horse to meet for this ransom exchange. The knight’s daughters embrace him while he tries to hand over precious jewels, but their arms are still being held by the kidnapper, whose plainer clothing contrasts with their finery. The page in a blue and white striped ensemble is watching closely and reaches into his purse, sensing that the kidnappers will demand more ransom. These characters — not based on any historical or literary source, but invented by the artist — dramatize a narrative through their expressive gestures and glances. The outcome still seems uncertain and even the dog looks expectantly at the central figures for the resolution of the story. More on this painting
Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Baronet, PRA (June 1829–13 August 1896) was born in Southampton, the son of John William Millais, a wealthy gentleman from an old Jersey family. His mother’s family were prosperous saddlers. Considered a child prodigy, he came to London in 1838. He was sent to Sass’s Art School, and won a silver medal at the Society of Arts at the age of nine…