How does Bubbles (painting) elucidate its Later developments?
Following the success of this advertisement Millais was attacked in print by the novelist Marie Corelli who accused him in her novel The Sorrows of Satan of prostituting his talent to sell soap. Millais wrote to her pointing out that he had sold the copyright of the painting and so was unable to stop the company from altering it in reproduction. Millais's son later claimed that he had tried to stop the advertisement being made, but had been advised that he had no legal grounds to do so. Corelli retracted her comments in a later edition of the book.
The advertisement became so well known that William Milbourne James, who later rose to the rank of admiral in the Royal Navy, was known as "Bubbles" for the rest of his life.
Since A & F Pears was acquired by Lever Brothers, the painting has been in their ownership. It was lent to the Royal Academy, but was transferred to the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight in 2006.
Marie Corelli Port Sunlight Royal Navy Royal Academy Lever Brothers Lady Lever Art Gallery William Milbourne James