Millais Treasure Trove: Over 150 Works on Long-Term Loan to Scottish Perth Art Gallery

A significant private collection of over 150 works on paper, 19 oil paintings, personal correspondence, studio tools, and family heirlooms relating to the great Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais and his wife Effie Gray has been loaned on a long-term basis to the Perth Art Gallery in Scotland. This extraordinary collection, generously shared by Millais and Effie’s great-grandson Sir Geoffroy Millais, marks the first time in over 30 years that much of this intimate material will be publicly displayed in Scotland.

Millais, an iconic figure of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood known for masterpieces like Ophelia (1851-52), spent formative years and drew strong inspiration from the landscapes and people of Perthshire. Effie Gray, born in Perth, was a pivotal figure in Millais’s life and Victorian art history, her story famously intertwined with the controversy surrounding her prior marriage to John Ruskin.

The loaned collection covers a vast span of Millais’s life, from childhood sketches made when he was only seven to mature works, including the rarely seen oil painting Halcyon Weather (1892), created near Stanley, Perthshire. The collection also includes Effie Gray’s personal jewellery and lace, highlighting the deep personal and artistic connection between the couple and their Scottish roots.

Caption: Rarely seen Millais artworks now displayed at Perth Art Gallery. (Source: STV News)

Sir Geoffroy Millais stated, “It feels fitting that this collection finds its home in Perth, where the story of my great-grandparents began. Sharing these personal treasures with the public is a way of keeping their legacy alive and offering new generations the chance to connect with their remarkable lives and work.” The exhibition titled Millais in Perthshire opened on July 25, 2025, offering free public access to over 25 key objects from the collection alongside significant works already held by the gallery, such as Waking (Just Awake) (1865) and Portrait of Effie Millais (1873).

Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, expressed honor at receiving such an important collection, calling it a homecoming for Effie Gray and a transformative moment for the region's cultural scene. The exhibition also emphasizes Perth’s growing status as a cultural hub, reconnecting local heritage with global art history.

The long-term loan encompasses a holistic picture of Millais’s artistic journey and private life, including personal correspondence, studio brushes, palettes, and family mementos, making it one of the most comprehensive Pre-Raphaelite archives publicly accessible in Scotland.

For more details on the exhibition, visit the Perth Art Gallery page: Millais in Perthshire, Perth Art Gallery

Additional reporting on the loan and exhibition is available at:

• STV News: Rarely seen artworks from Millais displayed in Scotland for first time

• The Art Newspaper: Millais treasure trove goes on long-term loan to Scottish gallery

FAQ

Q1: Who is John Everett Millais?
A1: Millais was a leading figure in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a 19th-century artistic movement, known for his detailed and vibrant paintings, including Ophelia.

Q2: What does the loaned collection include?
A2: The collection includes over 150 works on paper, 19 oil paintings, personal letters, studio tools such as brushes and palettes, and personal items belonging to Effie Gray, Millais’s wife.

Q3: Where and when can the collection be viewed?
A3: The exhibition Millais in Perthshire is on display at Perth Art Gallery from July 25, 2025, with free public access.

Q4: Why is the collection significant to Perth?
A4: Effie Gray was born in Perth, and Millais lived nearby; the local landscape inspired many works. The loaned works connect Millais’s legacy back to his Scottish roots.

Q5: Is this the first time these works are shown publicly in Scotland?
A5: Yes, many of these artworks and personal items have been unseen in Scotland for over 30 years.

Q6: How does this loan affect Perth’s cultural status?
A6: It highlights Perth as a growing cultural destination and strengthens its ties to Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art history.