Charles Allston Collins facts for kids
Charles Allston Collins (born in London on January 25, 1828 – died April 9, 1873) was a British artist, writer, and illustrator. He was closely linked to a famous art group called the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
Life and Art
Growing Up
Charles Collins was born in Hampstead, a part of north London. His father, William Collins, was also a painter, known for his landscapes and everyday scenes. Charles had an older brother, Wilkie Collins, who became a well-known writer. Charles went to school at Stonyhurst College in Lancashire.
Becoming a Painter
Charles Collins met John Everett Millais, a leading artist of the time. Millais's ideas about art, part of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, greatly influenced Collins. The Pre-Raphaelites wanted to paint in a detailed, colorful style, like artists before the famous Raphael.
In 1850, Collins finished his painting Berengaria's Alarm. This painting showed Berengaria of Navarre, the wife of King Richard the Lionheart. She is seen noticing her husband's belt being sold by a street seller. This painting showed many Pre-Raphaelite ideas. It had flat shapes, strong patterns, and detailed embroidery.
Millais wanted Collins to join the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. However, two other members, Thomas Woolner and William Michael Rossetti, did not agree. So, Collins never became an official member of the group.
Collins also fell in love with Maria Francesca Rossetti, but she did not return his feelings. After this, he became more serious and thoughtful. These feelings showed in his most famous painting, Convent Thoughts. This artwork shows a nun in a peaceful convent garden. Collins later painted many other religious pictures.
Turning to Writing
In the late 1850s, Charles Collins decided to stop painting. He chose to follow his brother Wilkie into a career as a writer. His most popular writings were funny essays. These essays were later put together in a book called The Eye Witness (1860).
Later Years
In 1860, Collins married Kate, who was the daughter of the famous writer Charles Dickens. Later, Dickens asked Collins to draw pictures for his unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Collins was able to complete the cover design for the book. However, he became too ill to finish the rest of the illustrations.
Charles Allston Collins died from cancer in 1873. He was buried in Brompton Cemetery in London.
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