1921 Clarence Millet Oil
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GUEST:
This painting was done by a student of my grandfather, who was an, an artist in New Orleans.
APPRAISER:
Okay.
GUEST:
And evidently, he complimented him on the painting, and it was gifted to my grandfather.
APPRAISER:
The artist in question here, uh, i, goes by the name of Clarence Millet.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
And he was born right outside of New Orleans, in a town called Hahnville.
GUEST:
He made his way to New Orleans right after public school.
APPRAISER:
So, he was 17 years old when he arrived, and for a brief period, worked with an engraver and was sort of knocking around...
GUEST:
Oh, really?
APPRAISER:
...looking for a livelihood. Eventually, he was sort of discovered. He was a struggling artist and was discovered by a couple of notable
painters. Uh, one being Louis Oscar Griffith, and another named Robert Grafton. Both of whom were quintessential, uh, painters of the New Orleans and surrounding area subjects.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
Millet pursued an artistic career. He went to Tulane and graduated as a fine art student, and also went to the Art Students League in New York.
GUEST:
Oh.
APPRAISER:
And when he came back, he really started working in earnest. This is an oil on board. Uh, it's signed in the lower right. It's also dated what looks to be 21, for 1921. It's also in a period frame, and the subject is almost undoubtedly New Orleans. This is a wonderful garden, probably a little courtyard scene that Millet w, he, best known for. He was born in 1897, died in 1959. Over a span of many years, he was very prolific. I think it's a real gem, and a nice example that shows that he was a relatively mature artist, even at a young age.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
In today's market, his work has become very collectible. Uh, it's a must-have for a New Orleans, uh, uh, collector of their...
GUEST:
(chuckles)
APPRAISER:
...regional artists. And an example of this size, I would imagine, would be estimated in the region of $5,000 to $7,000.
GUEST:
Nice, very nice.
APPRAISER:
I would suggest an insurance value of about $10,000.
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