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John Exerett Millais (1829-1896) is probably best known today as a leading English painter of the nineteenth century and a founder member in 1848 of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. In the sphere of black-and-white book and periodical illustration he was an outstanding master. His range was enormous and he could illustrate in a number of different styles to suit the texts he was given. He was equally at home with poetry by Tennyson, novels by Anthony Trollope and Harriet Maritineau, and delightful books for children. Because so many of his designs are scattered through various publications, some of which are rare and obscure, this significant area of his oeuvre has remained under-appreciated.
This book is the first to present faithful reproductions of all of Millais's published illustrations. An important feature is the discussion of every image together with its literary context, to ensure a full understanding of the meaning Millais wished to convey and illuminate. The original designs are chiefly wood-engravings, through some were engraved on steel; the small number of etchings that he undertook are also included.
