Sir William Miller, Lord Glenlee

Maker Henry Raeburn (British, 1756-1823)

SitterSitter: Sir William Miller, Lord Glenlee (British, 1755 - 1846)

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Dateca.1805-1815

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 83 3/4 × 60 1/4 in. (212.7 × 153 cm.) frame: 95 1/8 × 69 1/4 × 5 1/2 in. (241.6 × 175.9 × 14 cm.)

DescriptionSeated to the right, full-length, nearly full-face, the body three-quarters left. His left leg is crossed over the right, his forearms rest on the arms of his chair; in the right hand is a pair of spectacles. Clean-shaven, with thin white hair, bushing over the ears. White stock, and black suit, stockings, and shoes. A red curtain, hanging from the top left corner, falls behind his head and shoulders; the seat of the chair is dull red, and on the left a table, carrying books and papers, is covered by a red cloth. Beyond the table, the embrasure of an open window; sky and landscape to the left. Two brown, leather-bound volumes lean against the tablecloth below the sitter's left foot. Folio volumes in recessed shelves seen behind his right arm.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

On view

Label TextThis portrait was clearly intended to acknowledge the sitter’s stature as a man of learning. Miller was a respected legal authority and book collector. The stacked books and opened letters conspicuous on his table allude to the weighty matters entrusted to him. The pair of spectacles held in his right hand suggests that he has only turned away from his work for a moment and will soon take it up again. Purchased in 1908, this portrait was Henry E. Huntington’s first major British painting acquisition.

Bibliography

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number8.1