A Study on Iconography within the Work of John Everett Millais.

Abstract

John Millais’ 1859 Apple Blossoms depicts eight young girls enjoying a picnic on a spring day. The composition is bright and high in saturation, with opulent colours creating a warm and joyous atmosphere. In the foreground, the girls idle on the grass. On the left-hand side of the canvas, a girl in a burgundy dress pours liquid from a jug, two girls sit at her feet, both engrossed in their own activities. In the middle of the composition there is a large bowl containing curds and whey placed on a blanket (Escolme, 2014) a fallen leaf rests in front. Behind the bowl, a girl in grey holds golden spoons, some of which have been passed amongst the others. Drawing the eyes of the viewer to the right-hand side of the canvas, a girl in a yellow dress lies salaciously on her back, she holds a blade of grass to her lips and makes eye contact with the viewer. Almost out of view, a scythe hovers over the young girl. Three of the girls have various flowers in their hair and there are also baskets of flowers placed upon the grass. In the background, behind a short wall, there is an orchard, thus the perspective is deep as we can see into the trees. Numerous flowers grow amongst the trees which fill the top half of the canvas, their leaves turning from buds to blossoms and back again.