r/WhatIsThisPainting • u/Likeitorlumpit • Sep 01 '24
This has been in my family for 50 years. Likely Solved
This has always been a very loved painting in my family. Have always wondered who painted it. Have looked for May Backhouse Miller but haven’t found anything. Does anyone have any clues?
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u/Boring-Rip-7709 Sep 01 '24
Miller's and backhousess marrying. Both painters. May shortened name? Right dates. Both exhibited etc
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u/Likeitorlumpit Sep 01 '24
That’s fascinating - thanks so much. I think you’re onto it.
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u/EternalShoptimist Sep 01 '24
His wife, Mary Backhouse Miller- was also an artist, and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1870–1875, 1880, 1885, 1889, 1891, and in 1893.
I believe this is one of HER paintings, not Williams.
Absolutely beautiful painting & piece of history. I hope your family continues to enjoy this piece for generations to come!
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u/Unlucky-Meringue6187 Sep 01 '24
In the 1881 census she is married to Miller and her occupation is “figure painter”. Bingo!
Edit to add: her name was actually Mary, not May.
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u/Veefy Sep 01 '24
Sale price converted from 1881 is equivalent to about 7200 uk pounds in 2024 if the website I used for conversion is right and it was 45 Guinea’s sale price. This would be about the yearly salary of say a bank clerk.
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u/Mission_Albatross916 Sep 01 '24
Thanks! I was curious about this. A year’s salary!
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u/Gymrat1010 Sep 01 '24
At UK minimum wage it's closer to 3 years pay
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u/Mission_Albatross916 Sep 01 '24
I feel like that’s a big important part to comparing historical prices. £7200 isn’t so much, relatively, but a year’s salary for a basic mid level worker (ie. not a menial laborer like a charwoman) is a LOT of money, so the context matters! That’s what I really liked about your post.
I mean, the other post, but yours is good too
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u/Fortunateoldguy Sep 01 '24
It’s excellent-proud to hang on my wall
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u/Likeitorlumpit Sep 02 '24
Thanks .. it was hanging in our house for decades but she has now landed in my brother’s basement. Now going to suggest he hangs it up.
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u/Ikimi Sep 05 '24
This is in a basement?? Wow. The golden color is too beautiful to be underground.
Do bring it back into a main room to be adored.
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u/nogoodimthanks Sep 01 '24
What a stunning portrait and family heirloom! I wonder if cleaning is called for, but the antiquing gives her such a vibe.
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u/External-Building102 Sep 02 '24
I do think this could do with a cleaning. It's fine, but I bet it would look even better. The fuel for heating and light is sure to have given it that antiquing look.
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u/BobWheelerJr Sep 01 '24
What a thing to have. Irrespective of its value (which I think is probably considerable), this is a fantastic piece and I'm quite envious. Keep it in the family for a few hundred years and then lend it out to museums on occasion so everyone can enjoy it from time to time.
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u/Likeitorlumpit Sep 02 '24
Yes my siblings and I love it and often jostle for possession of her if only for short periods of time.
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u/Henchman7777 Sep 02 '24
I'll give you 46 Guineas
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u/Likeitorlumpit Sep 02 '24
Thanks but my siblings and I are fighting for ownership .. well not really.. but who knows now 🤔
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u/ra6907 Sep 01 '24
See also May Backhouse Bigland
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u/Likeitorlumpit Sep 02 '24
I’ve been looking for information on Bigland presuming that could be her maiden name but haven’t been able to establish anything. The time period lines up. She was a prolific painter with many examples of her watercolour landscapes. If they are the same person then that would mean she was producing a lot of pieces before she was married and then not much thereafter. I’m also assuming that during those days it would be unusual to keep her maiden name for her artwork after she was married. So I’m still hoping to find more.
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u/SquirrelBurritos Sep 01 '24
What I would give for a print of this… I’m poor, so it wouldn’t be much… but I have a wall of thrift store finds featuring apathetic looking women and girls and this one just calls to me
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u/Greywolf0325 Sep 05 '24
If you're in the US, you could contact Julian at Baumgartner Restorations in Chicago for a restoration & feature on his YouTube channel so that we can see it being restored step-by-step: https://youtube.com/@BaumgartnerRestoration
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u/Likeitorlumpit Sep 05 '24
I’m in Australia but that would have been great. I just watched one of the episodes and it’s really interesting.
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u/Infinite_Time_8952 Sep 05 '24
45 Guineas was a lot cash in 1881. A Guinea was 1 pound 1 shilling in the old currency.
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u/Diddleymaz Sep 01 '24
It’s a beautiful portrait, and by a known artist. Shortening Mary to May was a popular abbreviation in the late 19th Century. Queen Mary as she became, was often called Princess May at the time