Ford Madox Brown (1821-93) was born in Calais, France, and, although he had British parents, was always seen as an outsider by the arts establishment. He studied art in the great schools of Antwerp and Paris. His subjects were to do with English literature and language and were produced in a dark, dramatic style which was highly original and heavily influenced by the training he had received in Europe.

Brown found it incredibly difficult to finish work and would continually retouch paintings, even though sometimes they had already been sold. He formed a friendship with Dante Gabriel Rossetti and became closely involved with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, who shared his taste for literary subjects and meticulous handling, although he never became a formal member of the group. His talent became more widely recognised after his death.