The artwork “Portrait of Wilkie Collins” is a notable piece from the artist John Everett Millais, completed in the year 1850. It is a representation of the Realism art movement, specifically taking the form of a portrait. Currently, the artwork is housed at the National Portrait Gallery in London, UK.
The portrait itself depicts Wilkie Collins, who is presented in a contemplative pose. The subject is situated against a dark background, which brings a stark contrast to the lighter tones of his complexion and attire. He appears to be dressed in the fashion of the mid-19th century, featuring a dark coat, a waistcoat, and a formally tied cravat. His hands are delicately clasped in front of him, which is often indicative of contemplation or introspection in portraiture. The fine brushwork and keen attention to detail are characteristic of Millais’s style and the Realism movement of the period, which emphasized the depiction of subjects with truth and accuracy, eschewing the embellishments typical of Romanticism. The artwork conveys a sense of the character of Collins, reflecting both the personal and the professional aspects of his life as a writer and contemporary of the artist.
