Portrait of Robert Rankin

Towards the end of his career, John Everett Millais became well known for his paintings of children. This portrait of Robert Rankin shows a young boy in Van Dyck dress, a historical costume inspired by the paintings of Van Dyck which was popular in 18th and 19th century portraiture. Millais was a friend and associate of Leighton’s at the Royal Academy and succeeded him as President in 1896. This portrait was donated to the Museum by Mrs Robert Rankin in 1955 and did not form part of Leighton’s original collection.