Peter Miller

Magic Circle, American Modernist and Southwestern Painting by Female Artist

1960's

"Serpent with Pyramid" is a large, oil on canvas painting by American modernist and surrealist, female artist Peter Miller. The work is painted in a vibrant color palette. The work is estate stamped #202213 on verso. The painting has been conserved and inspected by conservation specialist, Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio, Inc. Exhibition history: Forgotten Woman of American Modernism, Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 2022. Provenance: Estate of the Artist; Private Collection, Saugerties, New York; Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In the summer of 2021, "Peter Miller, Forgotten Woman of American Modernism", a fully illustrated, comprehensive, and first ever published monograph on the artist was released, with a text written by art historian Francis M. Naumann, preface by publisher Paul Gratz, and an essay by artist Bill Richards. "Serpent with Pyramid" is included in the monograph and a copy of the book will be included in the purchase of this painting. Peter Miller was an artist, a philanthropist, a mystic, and a woman of endless passion for adventure. "Serpent with Pyramid" is a wonderful example of her formidable understanding of symbolism and the use of color theory, as well as her fascination and love for the wonders of nature and the spiritual world. American artist Peter Miller (1913-1996) was born Henrietta Myers in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She began using the name Peter Miller after concluding her studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1934 and her marriage to fellow artist and Academy student Earle Miller in 1935. In childhood, Henrietta and her best friend Ruth picked fictitious nicknames for themselves, and Henrietta reportedly decided upon the name Peter because she liked the idea that it was derived from the Greek word for “rock” or “stone”. Drawn to being one with the natural world would prove to be an essential inspiration to her creativity throughout her life. Miller is classified as an American Modernist, a reputation she earned for having shown at the prestigious gallery and premiere showcase for Surrealist painting of Julien Levy in New York in the 1940s. Reviewers of her exhibitions noted the unmistakable influence of the artists Joan Miró, whose work she owned and whom she knew, and Arthur Carles, whom she studied with, and sources in Native American culture, which came from sharing time between her home state of Pennsylvania and New Mexico. Peter's artwork was infused and inspired by this immersion into the spiritual world. Every painting of hers is a story, reflecting her heart and soul, allowing her beliefs in all metaphysical things to shine through in her work. She believed in exploring the magical realm; telepathy, synchronicity, alchemy, ESP, and tarot card reading. The concept of the collective subconscious captivated her curiosity and imagination. Peter and her husband Earle often hosted dinner parties at their farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, inviting their guests to join them in storytelling and experimenting with the psychic phenomenon. Peter was a highly intellectual woman, her knowledge and interest in ancient cultures, history, and architecture is often reflected in her body of work. Steeped in the principles of theosophy, and being very familiar with the Transcendental Painting...

"Serpent" is a large mural, oil on canvas painting by American modernist and surrealist, female artist Peter Miller. The work is painted in a vibrant color palette. The work is signe...

"Turtle, Snake, and Dove" is a 20 x 16 inches, oil on canvas painting by American modernist and surrealist, female artist Peter Miller. The work is painted in a earthy color palette ...

"Moth, Chrysalis, and Scarab" is a large, oil on canvas painting by American modernist and surrealist, female artist Peter Miller. The work is painted in a vibrant color palette. The work is signed and titled, and estate stamped 202113 on verso. The painting has been conserved and inspected by conservation specialist, Gratz Gallery...

"Cycle of Life" is a 34 x 46.5 inches, oil on canvas painting by American modernist and surrealist, female artist Peter Miller. The work is painted in a...

"Bird" is a 20 x 24 inches, oil on canvas painting by American modernist and surrealist, female artist Peter Miller. The work is painted in a vibrant color palette, signed and titled, and estate stamped #202077 on verso. The painting has been conserved and inspected by conservation specialist, Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio, Inc. and it is in original condition. Exhibition history: Forgotten Woman of American Modernism, Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 2022. Provenance: Estate of the Artist; Private Collection, Saugerties, New York; Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In the summer of 2021, "Peter Miller, Forgotten Woman of American Modernism", a fully illustrated, comprehensive, and first ever published monograph on the artist was released, with a text written by art historian Francis M. Naumann, preface by publisher Paul Gratz, and an essay by artist Bill Richards. "Bird" is included in the monograph and a copy of the book will be included in the purchase of this painting. Peter Miller was an artist, a philanthropist, a mystic, and a woman of endless passion for adventure. "Bird" is a wonderful example of her formidable understanding of various painting techniques and the use of color, as well as her fascination and love for the wonders of nature. Paul Gratz writes in the first ever published monograph on the artist "Miller’s technique was unique. In some of her paintings, she textured the ground to mimic canyon walls. In others, she used sgraffito and applied thin veils of color that she would then skillfully and partially rub off with rags. One small area of the canvas can contain six to eight different colors. The yellows and orange underneath provide a glow of spirituality to many of her canvases. The compositions are deliberate and she had a sophisticated knowledge of color. There are paintings within the painting, layers upon layers." American artist Peter Miller (1913-1996) was born Henrietta Myers in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She began using the name Peter Miller after concluding her studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1934 and her marriage to fellow artist and Academy student Earle Miller in 1935. She felt collectors and critics would take her paintings more seriously if she was identified as a male. In childhood, Henrietta and her best friend Ruth picked fictitious nicknames for themselves, and Henrietta reportedly decided upon the name Peter because she liked the idea that it was derived from the Greek word for “rock” or “stone”. Drawn to being one with the natural world would prove to be an essential inspiration to her creativity throughout her life. Miller is classified as an American Modernist, a reputation she earned for having shown at the prestigious gallery and premiere showcase for Surrealist painting of Julien Levy in New York in the 1940s. Reviewers of her exhibitions noted the unmistakable influence of the artists Joan Miró, whose work she owned and whom she knew, and Arthur Carles, whom she studied with, and sources in Native American culture, which came from sharing time between her home state of Pennsylvania and New Mexico. Peter Miller was an artist, a philanthropist, a mystic, and a woman of endless passion for nature and adventure. She and her husband Earle split their time between Pennsylvania and their ranch in Espanola, New Mexico. Bordering the San Ildefonso Pueblo and developing a trusted friendship with the Native Americans, she was greatly inspired by their culture and rituals, as well as by the deeply rooted love for their land. Peter Miller's artwork has been exhibited most notably at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1954, 1969); Julien Levy Gallery, New York (1944, 1945); Santa Fe State Art Museum (1935); The Woman, Art of this Century, Peggy Guggenheim (1945); Modern Art Gallery, Santa Fe (1948); 150th National Academy of Design/New York (1975); Lacarda Gallery, New York (1975); Olympia Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (1975); The Schoolhouse, Downingtown, PA 1992). One critic and longtime supporter called her work "that rare combination of incurable romantic and classical empiricist". (Peter Miller with Horse Photo...

Ashley John is proud to offer this artwork by: Gershon Benjamin (1899 - 1985) Gershon Benjamin is a painter of portraits, landscapes, still lives, and the urban scene. He had a pro...

Untitled Diptych, painting by Suzanne Law. Framed Overall size: Image size: 12.6 in. H x 34.2 in W Frame size: 18.1 in. H x 44.8 in W x 1 in D Individual size: Image size: 12.6 in. ...

Untitled painting by Suzanne Law. Framed Image size: 12.6 in. H x 17.1 in W Frame size: 18.1 in. H x 22.4 in W x 1 in D Wood frame

The mermaid who couldn't climb the iceberg painting by Suzzane Law Image size: 12.6 in. H x 17.1 in W Framse size: 18.1 in. H x 22.4 in W x 1 in D W...

Unique modernist depiction of an abstracted bull by California artist Dick Crispo (American, b.1945), 1981. The earthtoned animal is outlined in bold strokes of black, and is rendered in an interesting fractured geometric style evocative of cubism's handling of perspective. Signed and dated lower left "D. Crispo '81", and on label on verso. Presented in a dark copper metal frame. Image size; 22.5"H x 28.75"L. An award winning artist, Crispo has studied at the Carmel Art Institute under John Cunningham and Sam Colburn...

Kostyantin Malginov - Night Watch (2021) Inspired by the works of Kinusaiga . Created his own unique technique combining the author's graphics, silk painting. Developing, using a sp...