Mr. Wray's Cash Box; or, The Mask and the Mystery 1852

"Mr. Wray's Cash Box; or, The Mask and the Mystery" is an 1852 etching by Sir John Everett Millais, a leading figure in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. This artwork, which is part of the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a man and a woman in a domestic setting. The composition is simple, focusing on the couple's intimate interaction. Millais’s detailed linework, which was characteristic of Pre-Raphaelite etchings, creates a sense of realism and immediacy. This artwork reflects the Pre-Raphaelite movement’s interest in capturing the beauty and detail of everyday life.