Amazing painting isn’t it? The goldfish, so vibrant against the green. The beautiful young girls in their velvet dresses. I loved reading about this painting. It always interests me what the subject is about or what the artist is trying to convey. Little pieces of history that make the painting that much richer. Can you guess this artist? If not, read on to find out – or check it out if not sure – read about this painting!

The placard next to this painting told a little more of the story: “Their high social standing is indicated by their velvet dresses and crowns formed by the patterned screens behind them”. Read on – were you able to guess?

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I love to read a bit about the painting – it’s fascinating!

A N S W E R :

Anne and Marion Pender were the daughters of Sir John Pender, a wealthy textile merchant from Glasgow. The girls’ identical red velvet gowns and plush surroundings convey their affluence, yet one cannot help but feel that they are on display, not unlike the two fish in the bowl before them.
While a student at the Royal Academy in London, Millais co-founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood as an act of rebellion against the classicizing style of painting taught there. Ironically, Leisure Hours was painted just a year after he was elected to be a full member of the Royal Academy.

Title: Leisure Hours

Artwork Date: 1864

Artist: John Everett Millais

Life Dates: 1829-1896

Nationality:  English

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: Unframed: 35 × 46 1/2 inches (88.9 × 118.1 cm)Framed: 44 × 55 5/8 × 2 3/8 inches (111.8 × 141.3 × 6 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Department: European Painting

Credit: Founders Society Purchase, Robert H. Tannahill Foundation Fund

DIA WEBSITE | Instagram | This painting

IMAGE taken at Detroit Institute of Art

IMAGES ARE NOT FOR REPRODUCTION, THEY ARE PROPERTY OF THE ARTIST/ART INSTITUTE.

🖼️ Until next time!