John Everett Millais, Esq., A.R.A., from "Illustrated News of the World"

Based on a photograph, this engraving shows the artist at thirty. A child prodigy, Millais had entered the Royal Academy Schools at eleven, then in 1848 helped launch the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and found himself at the center of a critical storm. Here, a decade later, he was on the path to eminence. Following marriage to Effie Ruskin in 1855, the couple retreated to Perth, Scotland and lived near her parents. In the winter months of 1857-60 Millais returned to London to work, then brought the family to the capital in 1861. His paintings attracted consistently good reviews and some were engraved. From 1859 Millais's designs were reproduced as wood engravings in periodicals such as "Once A Week" and, in 1863, he would be elected a Royal Academician.
Pound's engraving, part of a large series, was issued as a supplement to the weekly newspaper "Illustrated News of the World." The undertaking was immensely lucrative and featured many leading contemporary celebrities including (among others) politicians, royalty, actors and, as here, artists.