Tennyson’s The Sisters – Figure Sketch 1855 - 1856

This is a pencil sketch by Sir John Everett Millais for his painting, "The Sisters," showing a scene of domestic intimacy. Millais was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, founded in 1848. This group of artists rejected the conventions of the Royal Academy, seeking instead to create art that was honest and true to nature. In Victorian England, art was often didactic, designed to teach moral lessons. The Pre-Raphaelites challenged this by focusing on beauty and emotion. This sketch hints at the sentimental themes and idealized beauty typical of Millais's work. It offers a glimpse into the artist's process, revealing how he developed his compositions and figures. To fully understand this sketch, we can look at Victorian ideals of womanhood, the influence of literature on art, and the role of the Royal Academy in shaping artistic taste. Art history involves uncovering the social and cultural contexts that shaped both the creation and reception of art.