David Wilkie

WYNFIELD

John Everett Millais as Dante
1862


Wynfield has prevailed upon Millais to dress himself as Dante: chough Rossetti might have been the more suitable candidate since he frequently portrayed the poet, in precisely this, his traditionally ascribed costume. Millais' handsome features are emphasized by the dark background and surrounding soft focus. But there is an unintended sense of the ludicrous to which Mrs. Cameron, in her portraiture at least, never succumbed.