His brother Charles Allston Collins was a close friend of the members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood - particularly John Everett Millais and Holman Hunt. Though never a full member, he exhibited twelve pictures in the Royal Academy and made his living for some years by painting and later by writing.
Wilkie's father William Collins RA became an associate member of the Royal Academy in 1814 and a full member in 1820. He painted more than 200 works and was one of the most famous artists of his day with patrons among the wealthy and aristocracy.
His mother Harriet Geddes also came from an artistic family. A diary of her domestic life in 1835 and another covering September 1836 to December 1837 exist. Harriet's younger sister, Margaret Carpenter, was a well known portrait painter.
| Click image to enlarge | |
|
An image and transcript of a letter by Charles Allston Collins |