How Much Is The Order of Release, 1746 Worth?

Conclusion and headline estimate. On a hypothetical market offering with full title, no legal encumbrances, documented provenance and exhibition history, and sound condition, The Order of Release (1853) by John Everett Millais would realistically be expected to hammer in the region of $3,000,000 to $6,000,000, with a conceivable premium to c. $8,000,000 in exceptional sale circumstances involving multiple competing institutions or deep private bidders. The work is in the Tate Britain collection (accession N01657) and therefore has not been tested in the modern open market; the museum holding both supports the scholarly importance of the picture and removes recent realised‑price data for the same object [1].

Why this range? The estimate is derived by analysing recent auction outcomes for Millais narrative oils and comparable Pre‑Raphaelite works, adjusted for scale, provenance and museum‑level significance. Leading Millais oils offered in prime condition with strong provenance have sat in the low single‑digit millions at major houses (for example, Christie’s sale of Sisters in 2013 provides an upper‑market anchor), while numerous Millais works continue to trade in the mid‑to‑low six‑figure band at established salerooms, providing the lower‑market context [2][3]. Because The Order of Release is a substantial finished narrative canvas with long exhibition and literature history, it commands a premium relative to routine studio works.

Key assumptions and sensitivities. This appraisal assumes: (1) the painting is offered with a clear legal title and established provenance (the painting was bought from Millais in 1853 and later presented to Tate by Sir Henry Tate); (2) the canvas is in sound condition or can be conserved without loss of original paint; and (3) the sale takes place through a major London or New York sale series actively marketed to institutions and specialist private collectors. Major variables that would lower the estimate are significant condition issues, gaps or disputes in provenance, or a weak auction climate; conversely, a fresh scholarly exhibition, a high‑profile catalogue entry or institutional bidding could push the realised price above the stated range [1][2].

Comparables and market context. Christie’s 2013 high‑quality Millais oil (Sisters) realised in the low millions and functions as a practical upper anchor for premium, museum‑grade Millais canvases; by contrast, Bonhams results for works described as less iconic demonstrate the mid/low six‑figure market for many Millais paintings today [2][3][4]. The broader Pre‑Raphaelite market has shown selective strength with museum acquisitions and focused exhibitions increasing competition for top‑quality works; however, supply of true museum‑quality Millais oils is limited because many of the artist’s key pictures are institutionally held, which both constrains supply and reduces frequency of market testing [5].

Recommended next steps. To convert this hypothetical appraisal to a definitive presale estimate: obtain a current written condition/conservation report, secure full provenance and exhibition documentation from Tate (or relevant custodians), and commission a formal valuation from the Victorian/British Pictures specialists at Christie’s or Sotheby’s who can review the work in person and propose a sale strategy. With those inputs the estimate can be narrowed and firm presale estimates provided.