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Peter Miller
Untitled Abstract by Female American Modernist and Surrealist Peter Miller

1930's

About the Item

"Untitled Abstract" is a 30 x 22 inches, oil on canvas painting by American modernist and surrealist, female artist Peter Miller. The work is painted in a vibrant color palette and estate stamped #202163 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. Image: Peter Miller in Her Studio Julien Levy Gallery Records, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Library and Archives. Peter Miller was an artist, a philanthropist, a mystic, and a woman of endless passion for adventure. In the early years of studying, she was greatly inspired by the European masters Henri Matisse and Jean Miró. "Untitled Abstract" is a wonderful example of the influence of this inspiration on her formidable understanding of form, shape, and color. Peter's admiration for Henri Matisse and Jean Miró was of such importance, she eventually would meet and befriend the artists personally. 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". 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. 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. "Untitled Abstract" is included in the monograph and a copy of the book will be included in the purchase of this painting.
  • Creator:
    Peter Miller (1913 - 1996, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1930's
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Artwork has been cleaned, varnished, and inspected by a professional art conservator. A detailed condition report is available upon request.
  • Gallery Location:
    Doylestown, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1402211886412
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