Sir John Everett Millais (1829–1896) was an English painter and illustrator who became one of the most famous artists of the Victorian era. Born in Southampton, he showed remarkable talent at a young age and was accepted into the Royal Academy of Art when he was only eleven years old—the youngest student ever admitted. In his youth, Millais helped found the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of artists who rejected traditional academic painting and instead sought to create art that was honest, detailed, and inspired by nature and early Renaissance art.

One of his most famous paintings, Ophelia (1851–52), shows the tragic Shakespearean heroine floating in a stream surrounded by flowers. The work is celebrated for its incredible attention to detail and vivid, lifelike color. Over time, Millais’s style evolved; he later became known for more polished and sentimental portraits and scenes that appealed to Victorian tastes.

Millais achieved great success and respect in his lifetime. He was elected President of the Royal Academy in 1896 and was knighted by Queen Victoria. His ability to combine emotional depth with technical mastery made him one of the leading figures in 19th-century British art, and his works continue to inspire artists and audiences today.