New collection revealed
A private collection of rarely-seen artworks and personal belongings of celebrated Victorian painter John Everett Millais and his Perth-born wife, Effie Gray, will be going on long-term loan to Perth Art Gallery, operated by Culture Perth and Kinross (CPK).
Millais and Effie’s great-grandson, Sir Geoffroy Millais, will be lending his collection of over 300 objects, that has remained unseen for 30 years, and includes more than 75 small acquisitions of his own made over 40 years.
The unique collection offers an intimate window into the personal and artistic lives of one of Britain’s most culturally significant couples.
From 25 July 2025, a free public display title Millais in Perthshire will open in gallery three at Perth Art Gallery.
Featuring more than 25 highlight objects from Sir Geoffroy Millais’ collection, this marks the first time any of these items have been shown to the public in Scotland.
The display will be presented alongside the gallery’s existing Millais holdings, including the celebrated paintings, Waking (Just Awake) (1865) and Portrait of Effie Millais (1873).
The display of this collection marks a new chapter for Perth Art Gallery, which has been reimagined as a dedicated home for the region’s fine art collection, following the opening of the new Perth Museum in March 2024.
The exhibition not only brings national cultural significance to the city of Perth, but also marks the first time in more than two decades that all of the gallery’s public spaces will be fully accessible.
Find out more about the collection on culturepk.org.uk
The Last Rose of Summer - Portrait of Mary Hunt Millais (1860-1944), 1888, by JE Millais, oil on canvas