Sir John Everett Millais' portrait of Kate Perugini, the daughter of Charles Dickens, is set to provide one of the main draws at Sotheby's British and Irish Art auction.
 Kate was said to be Dickens' favourite daughter |
The November 13 sale will see the portrait sell with a £150,000-200,000 ($241,742-322,288) estimate. The painting was given by the artist directly to fellow painter Perugini following its creation, after she had previously served as the model for Millais' The Black Brunswicker.
Millais was one of the leading figures in the pre-Raphaelite movement and the portrait has been displayed at several major exhibitions, including the 2008 retrospective of his work at London's Tate gallery.
It shows Perugini in mourning for her first husband, author Charles Allston Collins, following his death in 1873. However, it was created at the time that she was engaged to artist Charles Edward Perugini, to whom she would become happily married.
Perugini was known as the favourite daughter of Charles Dickens', despite trying to separate herself from the family after her father separated with his wife Catherine. It is said that she married Collins, who was far older than her, simply to move away from their home. The day before her wedding Dickens was reportedly found crying into her wedding dress, saying "But for me, Katey would not have left home".
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a superb selection of Charles Dickens signed items available, including handwritten letters and an authentic strand of his hair.
Recent and related articles
· Oliver Twist first edition could see $8,000 in Irish auction | 17 October 2012
· Dickens-signed David Copperfield first edition sells for $95,340 | 13 June 2012
· Charles Dickens' wife photo makes $13,835 at Bonhams | 17 May 2012
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Images: Sotheby's
