Standing Woman (or Study in Costume) (Primary Title)

Francis Davis Millet, American, 1846 - 1912 (Artist)

ca. 1882
American
Drawings
Works On Paper
graphite and watercolor on paper, mounted overall to board
Sheet: 20 × 12 in. (50.8 × 30.48 cm)
Mount: 22 × 14 1/8 in. (55.88 × 35.88 cm)
70.13
Not on view

A cosmopolitan artist and author who traveled widely across North America, Europe, and Asia, Francis Davis Millet often depicted vibrantly clothed figures in both ancient and exotic dress. During his travels, the artist sketched ancient ruins, artifacts, and sculpture in museums and at archaeological excavations. Widely recognized as an expert on ancient Roman and Greek costume, Millet toured the East Coast giving lectures, accompanied by live models and illustrations such as this watercolor painting. Here, a woman ties a cloth belt around her chiton, the traditional tunic of ancient Romans, in front of a marble table and oil lamp, both of which the artist likely based on artifacts he viewed firsthand.

Signed lower left: F.D. Millet.
Gift of Mr. Frank M. Booth
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC

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