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The Ornithologist, 1885 (oil on canvas)
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The Ornithologist, 1885 (oil on canvas)
2636045 The Ornithologist, 1885 (oil on canvas) by Millais, John Everett (1829-96); 160.7x215.9 cm; Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove, Glasgow, Scotland; (add.info.: In a room an elderly bearded man reclines on a sofa. He holds a stuffed red bird while at his side two children gaze eagerly at the bird, while a young woman leans over him. At the head of the sofa are a boy and girl and seated at the foot a young girl. To the right are drawers containing specimens of birds and others lie on the covering of the sofa. To the left is a table with a glass globe and an owl.
This painting, also known as The Ruling Passion, shows the natural historian and illustrator John Gould, 1804-1881, showing some of his collection of bird skins to a group of spell-bound children. He was an invalid when the artist Millais visited him, so he had his friend, the artist T O Barlow, sit for the picture. The two youngest children are William and George, Millais grandsons.); © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection
Media ID 32178532
© © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection / Bridgeman Images
Collection John Everett Millais John Millais Royal Academician Royal Academicians Sir John Everett Millais Sir John Millais Sofa Visiting Pre Raphaelite Teaching
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The Ornithologist, 1885
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating oil painting by John Everett Millais that captures the essence of curiosity and wonder. In this beautifully composed artwork, we are transported to a room where an elderly bearded man reclines on a sofa, surrounded by an array of bird specimens and eager children. The focal point of the painting is the elderly ornithologist himself, holding a stuffed red bird in his hands. His weathered face reflects years of passion and dedication to studying these magnificent creatures. Beside him, two children gaze at the bird with wide-eyed fascination while a young woman leans over him, perhaps sharing in his enthusiasm. At the head of the sofa sit a boy and girl, their expressions mirroring both awe and respect for their grandfather's knowledge. Seated at the foot is another young girl who appears captivated by her surroundings. To further enhance our understanding of this scene, Millais includes various elements such as drawers filled with more bird specimens and others scattered on the sofa's covering. A table adorned with a glass globe and an owl adds depth to this tableau. This masterpiece also holds historical significance as it portrays renowned natural historian John Gould showcasing his collection to mesmerized children. Although unable to pose due to illness during its creation, Gould enlisted his friend T O Barlow as a stand-in model for Millais' brushwork. "The Ornithologist" invites us into a world where knowledge meets imagination—a testament to humanity's eternal fascination with nature's wonders.
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