Richard Edward Miller 1875-1943

According to Marie Louise Kane, "The subject and technique are both characteristic of Miller's work in France ca. 1911-1913, when one of his specialities was painting solitary women in gardens or garden rooms. These women are usually occupied in some quiet pursuit, such as reading. Often, the figures are posed in profile, hand to the face, hair swept up exposing the neck (a stylistic element inspired by Japanese prints), and clad in a long flowered robe, suggestive of a kimono. The Japanese-style parasol (used to dramatic effect by Miller in his 1910 painting Afternoon Tea, Indianapolis Museum of Art) gives an added touch of decorative orientalism while at the same time echoing the curves in the chair and the figure's pose. This is typical of Miller's tight compositional organization.

"The manner in which the oil sketch is painted is Miller at his liveliest. The vigorously painted surface, glistening with lively strokes, dabs, swipes, scrapes and crusts of impasto is a rich brocade in which the manner of its making is as alluring as its subject. The painting's green-gray tonality, enlivened with small patches of rose pinks and cream throughout is characteristic of Miller's French Paintings-- the 'Monet' green of the table appeared regularly in Miller's Giverny paintings. This may have been painted in Giverny.

"On the back of the panel, near the top, the faint imprint of a handwritten address in pencil is visible: 16 rue Boisonnade. This was the address of Miller's Paris studio. The first mention of it in my files dates from a 1911 newspaper review. In 1912 this address appears on Miller's stationary."