William Holman Hunt was born #OTD in 1827.

Hunt, despite his cantankerous reputation, is a rather interesting character. His images are exceptionally detailed, invested with faith, and often hallucinogenic in colour.

Hunt& #39;s work can be surprisingly beautiful and sensual as well, such as his Il Dolce far Niente (1859).

Hunt described Miss Lydiard, who modelled for this 1868 painting of Bianca (a character from Othello) as ‘a very beautiful fair American girl’.

@WorthingMuseum

Here we see Hunt& #39;s two wives, Fanny who died shortly after giving birth, and her sister Edith (Marion), who Hunt would later marry in Switzerland.

The Lady of Shalott is one of Hunt& #39;s most impressive paintings (there are various versions both oil and drawings).

Note the feathered bodice (which echoes that seen in the painting of Edith,) the Van Eyck clogs, and the Durer faucet.