Wandering Thoughts

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Wandering Thoughts
John Everett Millais (1829-1896) - Wandering Thoughts - 1913.28 - Manchester Art Gallery.jpg
Artist John Everett Millais
Yearc. 1854
Type Oil on canvas
Dimensions35.2 cm× 24.9 cm(13.9 in× 9.8 in)
Location Manchester City Art Gallery, Manchester

Wandering Thoughts is an oil painting by the English artist John Everett Millais, painted in circa 1854. [1] It is a full-length portrait of a woman in a black dress with a posy of red flowers and green leaves at her bosom, and a letter lying in her lap. She sits in a red chair.

Contents

The painting

The woman's black dress and contemplative expression might suggest she is in mourning. Fellow Pre-Raphaelite artist Ford Madox Brown described the painting as "a noble study of Millais, [of] an ugly girl in black receiving bad news". [2]

The painting was owned in 1854 by early Pre-Raphaelite patron Francis McCracken. [3] It was purchased by Manchester City Art Gallery in 1913 from Mr Charles A. Jackson. [4]

At some point in its history, Wandering Thoughts was incorrectly known as Mrs Charles Freeman. It was bought from the Manchester art dealer Charles Jackson under this title. [3] However, Mrs Charles Freeman is an entirely different painting by Millais, from 1862.

See also

References

  1. Cole, Melva. "Millais, Sir John Everett: Wandering Thoughts". Manchester City Art Gallery, Manchester: Manchester City Art Gallery. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  2. Treuherz, Julian (1993). Pre-Raphaelite Paintings from the Manchester City Art Galleries. Manchester: Manchester City Art Gallery. p. 47. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  3. 1 2 Treuherz, Julian (1984). Masterpieces from Manchester City Art Gallery: A Loan Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings, 12 January–18 February 1984. London: Noortman & Brod Ltd. p. 44. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  4. "Wandering Thoughts". Manchester City Art Gallery, Manchester: ArtUK.org. Retrieved 15 December 2025.