Caller Herrin' 1881

Sir John Everett Millais painted "Caller Herrin'" with oil on canvas; we don't have an exact date, but it was likely towards the end of his career. Here, Millais departs from his earlier Pre-Raphaelite style, embracing a looser, more expressive brushstroke. The painting depicts a young woman, a Scottish fishwife, her basket laden with herring. Her wistful gaze and relaxed pose challenge traditional representations of working-class women, who were often portrayed as either idealized or downtrodden. Here, the woman exudes a quiet dignity. Millais seems interested in capturing a sense of individual identity that transcends her social role. The painting invites us to consider the lives and experiences of women whose stories are often overlooked in history, and encourages us to find beauty and value in their everyday realities.