The artwork entitled “Elgiva seized by order of Odo, Archbishop of Canterbury” was created in 1842 by John Everett Millais. Rendered in pen and ink, this piece measures 30.2 x 20.5 cm and is a prime example of the Romanticism art movement. Classified under the genre of sketch and study, the artwork is currently housed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Birmingham, UK.
The artwork depicts a dramatic and emotional scene wherein Elgiva is forcibly taken away by several figures under the directive of Odo, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The delineation is executed with fine and deliberate lines, emphasizing the tension and movement within the scene. The figures, clad in flowing garments, express a range of emotions through their gestures and poses, with some appearing distraught and others forceful. The composition effectively captures the high drama associated with the historical event, characteristic of the Romanticism movement.
