Sir John Everett Millais, P.R.A.

Thomas Agnew & Sons, London;
The Rt Hon. G. Cubbitt, M.P.;
Sotheby's, 9 July 1974, lot 45;
Sotheby's, Belgravia, 19 March 1979, lot 25;
Christopher Wood Gallery, London;
Private collection

London, The French Gallery, 1865;
London, Grosvenor Gallery, Millais Exhibition, 1886

J.G. Millais, The Life and Letters of Sir John Everett Millais, 1899, vol.I, p.395 and vol.II, p.473;
Spielman, Millais and his Works, 1898, p.170, cat.no.101.

STRUCTURE The panel is flat and in very good condition. There is a little surface dirt and the picture may benefit from a light clean. UNDER ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT There appears to be localised minor repainting to the girl's cheek and a few very minor spots elsewhere. FRAME This picture is contained in a moulded plaster and gilt frame (in good condition).
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Painted in 1864, Red Riding Hood depicts the artist's eldest daughter Effie (later Mrs James), aged six, carrying a basket of vegetables and wild flowers, at the door of Grannie's house. It is one of a series of charming portraits of Effie, dressed in various costumes, including My First Sermon and My Second Sermon painted in 1863 and The Minuet of 1866 (private collection). He often used his daughters as models and Effie's sisters Mary and Carrie appear in Waking (Perth Art Gallery) and Sleeping (private collection) of 1865. As has been pointed out, 'With child models readily available Millais was able to give free expression to feelings of parental pride and joy, as well as offer comment on the growth of his offspring, with an eye on the market for endearing images of children.' (Jason Rosenfeld and Alison Smith, Millais, 2007, p.172) Millais was probably inspired to paint Red Riding Hood following the success of James Sant's Little Red Riding Hood of 1860 which had been printed in 1863 in the Illustrated London News as a large chromotype which resulted in the sale of vast numbers of the magazine. The subject was also painted by Watts and Landseer. The moment depicted by Millais captures the tension as Red Riding Hood is about to enter the house to find the wolf dressed in her grand-mother's clothes. However the horror and danger of the story that had been first told by Charles Perrault and retold by the Brothers Grimm, is only implied.