Sir John Everett Millais Bt. PRA, Drawing of the head of the Virgin Mary from Correggio's 'Ecce Homo'

Drawing of the head of the Virgin Mary from Correggio's 'Ecce Homo', 16 March 1837

Sir John Everett Millais Bt. PRA (1829 - 1896)

RA Collection: Art

The head of the Virgin Mary copied from the left hand side of Correggio's 'Ecce Homo' (1525-30, National Gallery, London). This painting was bought by the National Gallery in 1834 but Millais probably drew this head from a print. Millais's art teacher on Jersey, Mr. Bessell, often gave him prints of famous works of art to copy.

There is an almost identical drawing of the same head in the collection at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Accession Number 1916P17. According to the inscription on the Birmingham version it was "Presented to his Friend Mr Bessell / 30th June 1837" and was drawn when the artist was "Aged 8 years 8th June / 1837"

Object details

Title
Drawing of the head of the Virgin Mary from Correggio's 'Ecce Homo'
Artist/designer
Date
16 March 1837
Object type
Drawing
Medium
Pencil on wove paper
Dimensions

254 mm x 282 mm

Collection
Royal Academy of Arts
Object number
03/726
Acquisition
Given by Mary, Lady Millais 1945
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