The Escape of a Heretic, 1559
Artist
Sir John Everett Millais
(British, 1829 - 1896)
Date1857
Object number65.0568
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensions43 1/8 × 31 1/8 in. (109.5 × 79.1 cm)
frame: 56 1/2 × 44 5/8 × 4 in. (143.5 × 113.3 × 10.2 cm)
frame: 56 1/2 × 44 5/8 × 4 in. (143.5 × 113.3 × 10.2 cm)
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineMuseo de Arte de Ponce. The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, Inc.
Collections
On View
Not on viewDescriptionIn the 1850s, Millais developed a tradition within British history-painting, based on presenting imaginary anecdotes from the past in which ordinary individuals face challenging situations beyond their control. This painting was shown next to a fictitious written account of how in 1559 a heretic escaped from the Inquisition prison on the day she would be executed. The woman, wearing the yellow sambenito and pointed hat of those condemned to the stake, was rescued by her lover, who came into the prison dressed up as a monk. She escaped wearing the clothes of her jailer, who can be seen bound and gagged in the background.
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