The times., 1899-01-15

ton families. The early days of the crayon
portrait in this city were made notable
by the refined and artistic pictures ema-
mating from this artists studio in the
palmy days of the crayon portrait.
Early English pictures following the
great interest taken few years ago in
modern Dutch art are just now in very
high favor almost to the exclusion of all
other schools of high art. So, in time.
will the crayon portrait. at present so
completely relegated to the background
return-as all really good art must
return-for new applause and a wider
recognition. When that bright day comes
many a choice work Of Mr.. Miller's, done
years ago, will be brought to the light
and praised, not for new, time-imparted
qualities Of color and tone but for excel
lences that are fadeless and were always
there.
Mr.. Miller's experiences are full of in
terest. Born in Shepardstown, Va. he
came to Washington in 1SiS. Then twen-
ty years of age, with all the fire and en-
thusiasm OF the gold-seeking argOnauts,
hut needless of the allurements of Ell Dor
ado. young Miller cast his fortunes with
the little group of students then studying
art in this city. He has remained citizen
OF Washington ever since. Though he made
a tour CT Europe in 1873, and once tired
/ Chicago as a field for artistic endeavor,
il was short experience-just tn days.
Most artists would have given even Chicl-
go longer trial, but Mr.. Miller can hard
ly be blamed, for he lost all Of his stud o
effects in the great fire.
His First Instruction.
Mr. Miller's first instruction was re-
ceivcd in the studio of Gibson, then the
only art teacher here.
The finding of Gibson came through his
applying first to the fashionable portrait
painter Of those early days. c. B. King
on declaring his plans and expressing a
desire 10 become a pupil of Kings, that
distinguished and very frank artist naive
ly told Miller that teaching was not sut-
iiciently remunerative and therefore he
took no pupils. He recommended him to
Gibson, whose class of cal!ow students
was taught the gentle art in a large and.
| for those days. well lighted studio, at the
| corner of Twelfth and ID Streets.
Great changes have occurred in art, as
well as other things. since those old days,
| when + Street fashionable residence
| thorcughfare. and the swell northwest
was mostly swampy co" pastures and
brick yards Mr.. Miller painted a por-
! trait of Webster in the iatter's life time.
| and he has painted many another distin-
! guished statesman of the o d line since.
!
! full and popular portrait painters cf the
/ period once called upon Mr.. Miller and
| of a friend of the artist, who happ> ned TO
/ be keeping open studio, he asked: Who
| did that" pointing to the Webster then
upon the easel
Young Miller" the friend replied.
Well said Healey, you tell him to go
ahead he's got it in him; that shows it, >
| And well Mr.. Miller has fulfilled the
prophecy.
Hcaley afterward invited young Miller
TO come and see him at his studio at the
| Capitol, adding TO the very cordial invita-
tlon: Come early in the morning and
then we will not be disturbed. l am al
ways there by o'clock
Mr.. Healey spent many Winters here
and was always given a committee room
at the Capitol for a studio. One day, when
the young artist called there. Mr.. Healey
| took up a canvas from remote corner of
the ROOM where he had been hidden with
| it behind a table and Immediately began
| to explain that he always took his por
traits into the darkest corners to see how
they would look there. for as he said.
"one never can tell how dark place they
| may be hung in when they get TO the
| houses of their owners.
Most artists today think that the best
light they can find in their studio is none
too good, and have trouble enough getting
the desired result in that light, TO ask
themselves how it will look in a poor light.
But this custom of Healey's is interesting.
as it reveals the true artistic spirit. which
is as deeply concerned over the future well
fare of picture as q mother is over that
of her child. Mr.. Miller learned much
from Healey. The Webster portrait at
tracted great attention while in the pos
session of the artist, winning for him a
diploma at a fair held at the Patent Office.
The diploma Mr. Miller still preserves as
an artistic souvenir of the old days. but
the picture passed from one to another till
il has been lost. Ii would be interesting
to know what became of il.
Series of Portraits.
Some years ago Mr.. Miller made series
of portraits of all the Secretaries OF State
up to that time and a similar series of the