Description:
From our private collection, on offer is this expressive oil painting of a rural scene by listed turn-of-the-century American artist, Charles Henry Miller (1842 - 1922). Noted for his superb & masterfully executed landscapes of Long Island, Miller's work is housed in numerous venerated collections including those of such notable museums & institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) & the Brooklyn Museum of Art (Brooklyn, NY). Important exhibitions of his work included those at the Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), the Art Institute of Chicago, & the Paris International Exposition (France).
With an eye towards more realism, Miller's work is reminiscent of, but less romantic than, the output of the Hudson River school of artists. The scene he has captured here is that of a country farm. A figure appears along a dirt path, while a pair of cows further down the same path are set closer to the foreground, with one drinking from a small pond. Another figure can be seen towards the right of the canvas, kneeling at the base of a bush, apparently planting or harvesting. A house is set further back from the kneeling figure. What appears to be a barn & another structure can be seen at the left of the canvas. A fence is found in the foreground at the lower left of the painting. A large shade tree, possibly an old oak, stands near the house. Other bushes & trees fill the landscape under a cloud-filled sky.
Signed by the artist, this evocative painting is in very good antique condition. The original gilt frame features beautiful detailing, with a nameplate bearing the artist's name appearing along the bottom, centered just below the canvas. Despite a couple of small chips on the left side of the frame at both upper & lower corners (pictured), the frame is also in very good antique condition.
Prior to our acquiring it in the 1980s, we believe this fine painting was held in a single private collection under sole ownership. Upon request, the purchaser will be provided with provenance.
This work would make an important & valuable acquisition for any serious collection.
Additional information about Charles Henry Miller can be found by researching the artist's
Wikipedia entry. Also for futher reading, a new biography of the artist was published earlier this year (2012):
Charles Henry Miller, N.A., Painter of Long Island (co-authored by Geoffrey K. Fleming & Ruth Ann Bramson).
