Signs and Symbols
'The Blind Girl' 1854-7 by J E Millias.
 Click here for the interactive version! This painting is about the Victorian social problem of homelessness and poverty amongst children and the disabled. The older girl has a note pinned to her dress labelled ‘Pity the blind’. Millais painted this picture with great attention to detail; he wanted to highlight the beauty and colours of nature that the blind girl cannot see. |
Symbols Quiz
- Why is there a rainbow in the painting?
a) To symbolise riches
b) To tell us about the weather
c) As a symbol of light
- What do the birds symbolise here?
a) Freedom
b) Warning and death
c) A messenger of happiness
- What does the butterfly represent?
a) Poverty
b) Homelessness
c) Rebirth
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