Happy Springtime 1860

Sir John Everett Millais created this intimate etching, called *Happy Springtime*, during a period of rapid social and cultural transformation in Victorian England. Here, Millais offers us a quiet moment, as we observe a mother from behind, holding a child, perhaps in a secluded garden. The positioning emphasizes the mother’s role as a caregiver, yet the artwork avoids traditional depictions of motherhood by showing a candid, private interaction. The scene is framed by lush foliage, symbolizing growth and renewal, which could be interpreted as a reflection on the cycles of life and family. Millais captures a tender moment of domesticity, inviting us to reflect on the evolving roles and representations of women and family within the broader context of Victorian society. It is a study of intimacy and the beauty of everyday life.