Lord Lufton and Lucy Robarts 1860

Sir John Everett Millais created this illustration, titled "Lord Lufton and Lucy Robarts," to accompany Anthony Trollope's novel, "Framley Parsonage". Published in 1860, the novel, and Millais's illustrations, offer a window into Victorian society, particularly its rigid class structures and expectations around marriage. The image captures a pivotal moment between Lord Lufton, a member of the landed gentry, and Lucy Robarts, a woman of lower social standing. Their clasped hands speak to an intimacy that challenges the conventions of their time. Millais, associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, often explored themes of love and social critique in his work. Here, the emotional tension is palpable: will they defy societal norms, or succumb to them? Ultimately, this drawing invites us to consider the personal struggles embedded within broader social landscapes. It encourages us to reflect on how love and desire intersect with the pressures of class and societal expectation.