47

FRANCIS DAVIS MILLET

American, 1848-1912

Portrait of Mrs. Millet, 1883

oil on canvas
signed and dated lower left "F.D. Millet. 1883"
16 x 23 in. (40.6 x 58.4 cm.), Frame: 30 x 36 3/4 x 4 1/2 in. (76.2 x 93.3 x 11.4 cm.)

  • Provenance: Coe Kerr Gallery, New York, New York; Private Collection, Los Angeles, California; Christie's, New York, New York, November 29, 2007, lot 200; Private Collection, Florida
  • Notes: Francis Davis Millet (1846-1912) was an American academic painter, sculptor, and writer. Born in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, Millet served as a drummer in the Civil War. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. As a young artist, he gained acclaim for his classical f igure paintings and murals, often depicting historical and allegorical scenes. Millet was also a journalist and war correspondent, covering the Russo-Turkish War. He played a significant role in the American art world, helping to organize the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. His diverse talents and contributions to art and literature were tragically cut short by his death in the sinking of the Titanic. Francis Davis Millet married Elizabeth "Lily" Greely Merrill in 1879. In the present lot, he depicts his wife playing a lute while drinking tea. The entire composition showcases the artist's mastery; from the gilt mirror to the rich fabrics in her dress and on the sofa to the polished silver of the teapot.
  • Condition: in very good overall condition; lined canvas; a few very minor dots of inpaint on her face visible under UV; in an excellent period frame

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    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. 
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