Wandering Thoughts
| Wandering Thoughts | |
|---|---|
| Artist | John Everett Millais |
| Year | c. 1854 |
| Type | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 35.2 cm × 24.9 cm (13.9 in × 9.8 in) |
| Location | Manchester City Art Gallery, Manchester |
Wandering Thoughts is an oil painting by the English artist John Everett Millais, painted in circa 1854.[1] It is a full-length portrait of a woman in a black dress with a posy of red flowers and green leaves at her bosom, and a letter lying in her lap. She sits in a red chair.
The painting
The woman's black dress and contemplative expression might suggest she is in mourning. Fellow Pre-Raphaelite artist Ford Madox Brown described the painting as "a noble study of Millais, [of] an ugly girl in black receiving bad news".[2]
The painting was owned in 1854 by early Pre-Raphaelite patron Francis McCracken.[3] It was purchased by Manchester City Art Gallery in 1913 from Mr Charles A. Jackson.[4]
At some point in its history, Wandering Thoughts was incorrectly known as Mrs Charles Freeman. It was bought from the Manchester art dealer Charles Jackson under this title.[3] However, Mrs Charles Freeman is an entirely different painting by Millais, from 1862.
See also
References
- ^ Cole, Melva. "Millais, Sir John Everett: Wandering Thoughts". Manchester City Art Gallery, Manchester: Manchester City Art Gallery. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ Treuherz, Julian (1993). Pre-Raphaelite Paintings from the Manchester City Art Galleries. Manchester: Manchester City Art Gallery. p. 47. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ a b Treuherz, Julian (1984). Masterpieces from Manchester City Art Gallery: A Loan Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings, 12 January–18 February 1984. London: Noortman & Brod Ltd. p. 44. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
- ^ "Wandering Thoughts". Manchester City Art Gallery, Manchester: ArtUK.org. Retrieved 15 December 2025.