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Oxford's Ashmolean museum acquires Millais John Ruskin portrait | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A celebrated Pre-Raphaelite painting that led to the marriage breakdown of its famous Victorian sitter has been acquired by an Oxford museum. | A celebrated Pre-Raphaelite painting that led to the marriage breakdown of its famous Victorian sitter has been acquired by an Oxford museum. |
The portrait of art critic and poet John Ruskin by John Everett Millais has been allocated to the Ashmolean. | The portrait of art critic and poet John Ruskin by John Everett Millais has been allocated to the Ashmolean. |
Ruskin and Millais were friends but the painter fell in love with Ruskin's wife when he began the portrait in 1853. | Ruskin and Millais were friends but the painter fell in love with Ruskin's wife when he began the portrait in 1853. |
The museum said it was "one of the most important Pre-Raphaelite paintings" that had remained in private ownership. | The museum said it was "one of the most important Pre-Raphaelite paintings" that had remained in private ownership. |
'Most hateful task' | 'Most hateful task' |
The portrait was started during a group holiday in Glen Finglas, a remote area of The Trossachs, north of Glasgow. | The portrait was started during a group holiday in Glen Finglas, a remote area of The Trossachs, north of Glasgow. |
A museum spokesman said: "It was during this holiday that Millais fell in love with Effie Ruskin, setting in motion the events which would break the Ruskins' marriage." | A museum spokesman said: "It was during this holiday that Millais fell in love with Effie Ruskin, setting in motion the events which would break the Ruskins' marriage." |
According to the museum Millais had declared finishing the picture had become "the most hateful task I have ever had to perform". | According to the museum Millais had declared finishing the picture had become "the most hateful task I have ever had to perform". |
The Ruskins' marriage was annulled in July 1854 and a year later Millais married Effie. | The Ruskins' marriage was annulled in July 1854 and a year later Millais married Effie. |
In 1871, Ruskin gave the portrait to his friend Henry Wentworth Acland. | In 1871, Ruskin gave the portrait to his friend Henry Wentworth Acland. |
It hung in his house in Oxford and remained in the family until sold by his descendants at Christie's in 1965, when it was bought by the late owner. | It hung in his house in Oxford and remained in the family until sold by his descendants at Christie's in 1965, when it was bought by the late owner. |
Professor Christopher Brown, Ashmolean director, called the painting "extraordinary". | Professor Christopher Brown, Ashmolean director, called the painting "extraordinary". |
He added: "The portrait is of supreme importance for the study of 19th Century British art and it will be shown with the museum's world-renowned Pre-Raphaelite collection." | He added: "The portrait is of supreme importance for the study of 19th Century British art and it will be shown with the museum's world-renowned Pre-Raphaelite collection." |
The picture has been on loan to the Ashmolean since January 2012 but was allocated to the museum by Arts Council England under the Acceptance in Lieu of Inheritance scheme. | The picture has been on loan to the Ashmolean since January 2012 but was allocated to the museum by Arts Council England under the Acceptance in Lieu of Inheritance scheme. |