Millais, John Everett, 1829-1896

Abstract:

This collection includes letters sent by John Everett Millais and Frederic Leighton to Philip Hermogenes Calderon from 1886 to 1896.

Scope and Contents: Rossetti tells Heaton that he has received the half of a £20 note. He has also received Rachel and Leah and tells Heaton he will have it framed. Rossetti admits that he does not know what works Millais is sending to the Royal Academy. He says that Ruskin has not seen his most recent work since it was about a third done as Rossetti asked Ruskin to wait to view it until it was finished. He says that he has not altered it "more than is unavoidable" and that...

Scope and Contents: Rossetti explains that he has been in Paris for the past ten days and so only just received Heaton's latest letter. Rossetti has heard from Ruskin that Heaton would prefer keeping the drawing from the Purgatorio of Rachel and Leah, or Matilda and Beatrice. Rossetti remarks that he has given Matilda and Beatrice the actions of Rachel and Leah and describes the two figures as "of an entirely Oriental character, as the real Rachel and...

Scope and Contents:

"Dear Mr Scott, Size of picture 7 ft 5 1/2 inches ꝉ 5 ft 9 inches. If you send for it Monday week it will be ready. Yours truly J.E. Millais."

Scope and Contents:

"Dear Mr. Scott, The bearer will deliver to you for Exhibition "The Knight Errant." Yours truly, J.E. Millais, 25 April 1871."

Scope and Contents:

Millais has been confined to his bed with a cold and has not been able to send Redgrave his etching in time for Tuesday evening. Millais is certain it will be done on Wednesday or Thursday. Millais writes that one etching was spoiled during the biting process and another was not "sufficiently bitten" so that he had to work on it in dry point. In a postscript, Millais thanks Redgrave for sending another plate and thanks the etching club for their patience.

Scope and Contents:

"Dear Sir, I have sent away the Etching this afternoon & hope it will arrive to you[?] safe. There is with it a proof, but I think it might be bitten[?] as the child's head is a little faint. I am sorry that it was not on time for tonight - but I am but a novice at Etching & I could work away til Doomsday at it. Ever yours, J.E. Millais.. 8 January 1861, Perth. Could you get an Etching soon for yourself[?] as I have now but what I need[?]"

Scope and Contents:

"Dear Redgrave, I am engaged on Tuesday so I cannot attend the meeting - will you kindly explain t.y. Brother. I shall be delighted to receive[?] the members next month. Yours truly J.E. Millais."

Scope and Contents:

"Dear Redgrave, I have had an engagement to dine with […] sometime & I can't promise to come but I will stop in if I can. Yours truly J.E. Millais."

Scope and Contents:

"Dear Redgrave, Tuesday the 10th will suit me perfectly - I will expect[?] the club. Yours truly J.E. Millais."

Scope and Contents:

ALS saying that he designed and painted a picture from some lines by George Meredith.

Scope and Contents:

Expresses appreciation for a note from Calderon praising his work. Talks about his anxiety about exhibiting work, his relief that it has been a success.

Scope and Contents:

Sent to Calderon at Tentworth, Stedham, Midhurst. Congratulates him on being elected the new Keeper of the Royal Academy. Hopes that he will not let his duties prevent him from creating more art. Millais is departing for Scotland for a vacation.

Scope and Contents:

Addressed from Bowerswell, Perth. Concerning the "Life School," Millais says that he is "out of the mode" but does not want to shirk his duty in teaching. Describes recent painting out of doors under a wooden roof. Urges Calderon not to forget his own painting while he serves as Keeper of the Academy.

Scope and Contents: Addressed to Calderon at the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, sent from Birnam Hall, Birnam, N.B. Discusses his being in the Council preventing him from visiting. "I have had a wonderful year...": speaks of his satisfaction with his work and desire to create more art, tempered by current melancholy about there being too many paintings in the world: "even the smallest Scotch towns are stuffed with [paintings]..." Remarks that despite his words, he is not "bilious" and in fact has never been in...

Scope and Contents: Sent from Bowershall, Perth. Expresses sorrow at "Eaton's wife['s] suffering..." Discusses shooting during the week, not being able to commence a landscape painting due to early frost. Sees snow on mountains, predicts an early winter. Says that he feels the world needs no more paintings, referring to them as "'smeared things,' as Rudyard Kipling calls them," but imagines he will leave this thought behind once he starts a new painting. Has seen Woolner, smoked cigars with him, discussing...

Scope and Contents: Writes from Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth. States that he is there "in the hopes of gaining strength." Despairs of getting well, though. Discusses a "dreadful cloud of depression" that weighs on him and trying to refrain from fits of crying. "[S]ince this last attack I have felt more or less in a bad dream." Says that he has heard that Calderon is back at the Royal Academy but also suffering from depression. "My only hope is to get back to my work..." Handwriting is a bit weaker, more widely...

Scope and Contents:

Written on black-bordered mourning stationery. Says that Calderon's last letter has been a comfort to him. Millais has promised to take the Chair (of the Academy?) for "our dear friend" (most likely Frederic Leighton, who had had to travel due to serious health problems). Says that he has been quite upset, and shocked over the news of the friend's illness, not having known how serious it was.

Scope and Contents: Written on black-bordered mourning stationery. Millais says that he has been in great distress since he last saw Calderon, given that he has been to a specialist and received bad news about his voice. Fears he will not be able to take the Chair position for Leighton because his voice might give out entirely. Directs Calderon (underlines the message) not to bother the President with this news, but says that he hopes some other member of the Royal Academy can be "held in reserve." Has a...

Scope and Contents: Written on black-bordered mourning stationery, with black-bordered envelope. From Millais's address in Kensington. Discusses his increasing confidence about taking over the Chair from Leighton, after feeling buoyed up by friends' encouragement. Describes a "flattering" letter from Roxbury. Says that he thinks "it was shabby of the 'Times' not to have said one little word of congratulations" about artists' successes, but that they did not help him much in his career anyway. Says that he is...