Like Millais, William Holman Hunt’s artistic talent evolved from a very young age, much to the chagrin of his father. His father was a businessman and was determined to discourage the artistic potential his son was displaying as he did not believe it to be a worthy career. Sending Hunt to boarding school or engaging him in employment far removed from art did not dissuade him from declaring the desire to pursue painting. Once gaining permission from his father, Hunt visited the National Gallery where he first encountered works by the Old Masters. Upon seeing Titian’s "Bacchus and Ariadne," Hunt was unimpressed and rather disappointed at the work, an initial sign of what was to come. Hunt and his father had a prolonged struggle over what was deemed an appropriate career, but eventually he was allowed to apply as a student in the Royal Academy. He failed several times, but with the encouragement of fellow student John Everett Millais, he succeeded. Hunt did not have an easy time as an artist and would frequently prefer to give up food rather than compromise the quality of his painting materials. It was not until later in life that he saw any success in his artistic career.