Portrait of Margaret Irvine (Mrs. John) Miller (1756-1847)
Circa 1805-1807
Oil on canvas
27 x 22 inches

Literature: Exhibited and discussed in "In Pursuit of Fame: Rembrandt Peale 1778-1860," Washington D.C.: Smithsonian, 1992, p. 81, pl. 36. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, November 6, 1992 Ð February 7, 1993. This portrait exemplifies Peales tendency to take liberty with the way in which he portrayed his sitters. Mr. and Mrs. Miller begin as a working class family who later raised their position in Philadelphia society. Though their clothing is aristocratic, Mrs. Millers pose and gaze are those of a straightforward, working class woman. Likewise, Peale depicts her husband in a fine suit, resting on a stone, with detailed work affected. Mr. John Miller (1754-1814), a stonecutter, and his family were painted in exchange for steps and chimney pieces for PealeÕs house. The five other family portraits are also illustrated in the exhibition catalogue.

Provenance: From the sitter to her daughter and husband, John Breckinridge, Jr. (1797-1841, whose portraits are offered as lots 250 and 251);
Thence by descent to the present owner's late wife, who had lent the portrait to the exhibition "In Pursuit of Fame"
Estimate: $4,000 - $8,000

Condition:

This work is lined and selectively cleaned, and the surface appears fairly clean of dust. Under UV old varnish covers background. Sitter’s face has been cleaned, appears with minute dots of in-paint on bridge of her nose and forehead. Background has over paint to address losses at stretcher bearer and variously throughout. We recommend consulting your conservator.