 |
 |
John Frederick Miller (fl. 1770-1790) John Frederick Miller (fl. 1770-1790) John Frederick Miller was the eldest son of Johann Sebastian Mueller who settled in London in 1744 from Nuremberg, and was himself a botanical artist and engraver. John Frederick Miller was recognised as a competent artist by Sir Joseph Banks who employed him, together with other artists including Miller’s brother James, to complete Sydney Parkinson’s sketches from the Voyage of the Endeavour (1768-1770). In 1772, Miller accompanied Sir Joseph Banks to Iceland and drew many of the plants collected on this voyage. Miller fell out with Sir Joseph Banks after he published engravings made from the Icelandic drawings without Banks’ permission. Miller contributed botanical drawings for several important scientific works including Richard Weston’s Universal Botanist (1770-77) and William Aiton’s Hortus Kewensis (1789). Miller exhibited at The Society of Artists of Great
Britain between1768 –1780.
This watercolour is one of the earlier drawings of the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). John Ellis who described and named the plant published an engraving in 1768; a year after William Bartram and William Young had completed their drawings. By 1772 English gardeners had succeeded in cultivating the plant and artists such as Miller were able to depict the plant in full flower.
The John Miller Drawings Collection John Miller’s collection consists of completed
watercolours copied from the sketches of plants
by Sydney Parkinson made during the Endeavour Voyage
(1768-1771). These drawings were commissioned by
Sir Joseph Banks. Miller accompanied Banks when
he travelled to Iceland and the twenty five Icelandic
drawings dated about 1772, include sketches and
watercolours.
Exhibition and publication details This drawing has not been on public display.
References and further reading Clayton, T. (2004) Dictionary of National Biography OUP: Oxford.
|
|
|
 |
