Why it matters
A soldier of the Black Brunswickers pulls open a door to leave for battle while his sweetheart in a ballgown tries to push it shut. The scene may be inspired by the Duchess of Richmond's ball on the eve of Quatre Bras in 1815.
Did you know?
- It was painted in 1860.
- The woman's dog wears a red ribbon like its mistress.
- Millais described his inspiration in a letter to his wife Effie Gray.
Based on the Wikipedia article The Black Brunswicker (CC BY-SA 4.0).
