Clarissa 1887

Sir John Everett Millais painted “Clarissa,” an oil on canvas, with a muted palette and soft brushstrokes that evoke a mood of introspection. The ochre and earth tones, combined with the delicate lace detailing of Clarissa’s dress, suggest a controlled, almost repressed sensuality. Millais masterfully uses light and shadow to sculpt Clarissa’s face, drawing our attention to her contemplative gaze. Her figure is framed against a dark, indistinct background which accentuates her isolation. The letter in her hands is both a prop and a signifier, its contents unknown, yet central to her emotional state. We might consider how this painting plays with the semiotic codes of Victorian portraiture: Clarissa’s attire speaks of her social standing, while her averted gaze hints at unspoken desires. The tension between Clarissa’s outward composure and her inward thoughts is palpable. This contrast highlights how the artwork destabilizes fixed notions of female identity.