jkfs
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by jkfs on Oct 10, 2010 17:15:56 GMT -6
I would like to communicate with Diane Merkel regarding one of the photographs of David Humphries Miller on this Blog. Please contact me Thanks
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Post by ft4lman on Oct 24, 2011 7:47:38 GMT -6
This was a very informative forum! I recently pulled out two orginial paintings from under my grandmothers couch by David Humphreys Miller. I brought the paintings to my art teacher who put me in contact with Putt Thompson(mentioned in this thread) out of little big horn. Once I read this thread I was shocked becaused the one avenue I took on the paintings, I am currently in Texas, took me straight to the man I needed to talk to. I am waiting on Mr Thompson to get back to me on the pictures I sent him.
The only info my family currently have on the paintings is an appraisel from the Thackeray Gallery in 1977.
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Post by brentnvicki on Oct 24, 2011 20:41:20 GMT -6
I would be very interested in seeing the paintings. I have been working on documenting his paintings. I am also a collector of his work and started this thread. Please feel free to email me. Brentnvicki@msn.com
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Post by brentnvicki on Apr 6, 2013 20:01:18 GMT -6
Wassenberg to receive art collection Wassenberg Art Center news The Wassenberg Art Center has been chosen to be the recipient of a large collection of art consisting of original paintings, prints and sketches of the late world-renowned artist David Humphreys Miller. Donors Robert Brent and Vicki Stevens of Constantine, Mich., will be turning the collection over to the Wassenberg Art Center on long-term loan and to be housed in the art center’s upcoming new location at the Van Wert Armory, 214 N. Washington St. This exhibit will be the only solo exhibition of Millers’ work in the nation.
David Humphreys Miller (left) painting White Cow Bull, the man said to have killed General George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. At right, a portrait of Chief Iron Hail, also known as Dewey Beard. (Miller collection photos) Miller, originally from Van Wert and the son of local artist Lew Miller, became interested in the Battle of Little Bighorn at the age of 16. During his summer vacations he started traveling out West and began interviewing and painting the Native American survivors of the battle after learning five tribal dialects. In the years following, he painted and interviewed 72 survivors and other Native Americans, authored two books, consulted and acted in several hit films including the 1966 version of Stagecoach, starring Bing Crosby and Ann-Margret, and How the West was Won. Miller’s research is often referenced when determining which individual purportedly killed General George Custer. Due to the fact Miller interviewed survivors and eyewitnesses in their native dialect, issues commonly caused by erroneous translation were greatly reduced An opening reception for this extensive collection, valued at nearly $1 million, is being planned for sometime later this summer. A research and interactive website will be developed and be available for students and others to access for study. In addition dedicated programming for schools, organizations and clubs will be developed. “Housing the Miller collection will elevate the Wassenberg Art Center to a museum,” said Wassenberg Executive Director Hope Wallace. “The collection, with its ties to the historic and controversial Battle of Little Bighorn and Van Wert, will be an enormous benefit for the community. In addition, American Western Art genre is gaining in popularity nationally, and what better way to connect Van Wert to this pivotal slice of American history.” “It comes full circle: I want the Wassenberg to put my collection on permanent display for a couple of reasons,” said donor Robert Brent Stevens, a Van Wert native. “My father was a teacher in Van Wert. Education, regardless of what the student was interested in, was very important to him. I want to do the same. “David Humphreys Miller sets an example by following what he loved and it took him all over the world,” Stevens added. “He became a great artist, a great historian and he built a career around his passion: painting Native Americans. “He spoke with hundreds of warriors and learned their side of the story of the battle of Greasy Grass — what Lakota (Sioux) called the Battle at Little Bighorn,” Stevens went on to say. “I am excited to have this collection on permanent display in Van Wert as a way to say thank you to my hometown and to my family.” For more information on this upcoming permanent exhibit or other programs, contact the art center at 419.238.6837 or email info@wassenbergartcenter.org. The Wassenberg Art Center is currently located at 643 S. Washington St. in Van Wert.
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Post by bc on Apr 6, 2013 20:22:01 GMT -6
Sounds like a great thing. Kudos to you Brent. I hope I get that way some time but am definitely interested in his research when that hits the web.
bc
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Post by brentstevens on May 23, 2017 20:46:42 GMT -6
Ok it has been a long time since I have posted, but a lot has happened since I did. We have opened up a Museum Called Faces of Littlebighorn.
Check us out ! DavidHumphreysmiller.org.
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Post by Californian on Sept 13, 2021 13:43:36 GMT -6
Thank you all for these posts which are very helpful. The images that were once uploaded into the below posting seem to have disappeared, it would be great if these could be restored to the site. I did find a couple of them that were at one time saved onto pinterest with a link to this page.
Brent recently sent me this for posting here: Diane, Thank you for hosting this site. It has help my research on David Humphreys Miller immensely. Recently I was contacted by David Eric Miller aka (Rick). This is David Humphreys Miller's son. I have attached a brief excerpt from his email: I have asked if I could post some of his information and the pictures that he sent to me. "Allow me, please, to introduce myself: My name is David Eric Miller, son of Jean Spinoza Miller and David H Miller. I was born in Van Wert, Ohio, July 6, 1949 and am David's only direct descendant far as I know. My sister, Robin, died in 2002 and my mother some time back." I found your names on one of the Little Big Horn websites and when I discovered you were from Van Wert and your obvious affection for my father, I felt compelled to contact you. Wondering if you would be willing to speak to me about my father, his life, and his work.
Jean "Spinoza" Miller mother was very much involved in David Humphreys Millers early life, painting the Indians of the Great Plains. I would like to attach a few pictures of Mr. Miller and his wife formerly know as Jean Spinoza, along with a story of their life together until David left around 1952 They where married on July 26th, 1942 in Brooklyn. In November of 1942 Jean and David traveled back to Van Wert, Ohio where his parents held a reception in honor of their Son and new Daughter-in-law. Attending the Reception was Reginald and Gladys Laubin. (Van Wert Times Bulletin Nov 1942) They were a very famous couple who spent their lives studying Indian dance along with other Indian traditions. They have written books and preformed their dance all over the country. David first met the couple in 1938 at Crow Agency Montana. The Laubins introduced David Miller to "Frank White Buffalo Man". A Grandson of Sitting Bull. Since that time the Laubins and David frequently met somewhere in Indian country. (Van Wert Times Bulletin Feb 7th, 1946) You will understand why a young David Humphreys Miller fell in love with young Jean Spinoza back in 1942. David loved the Indian Culture and the stories they had to tell at the same time creating a story of his own. "While in New York he met and married an Olived-Skinned girl of Italian and Spanish decent. Her complexion and features are enough to fool the Indians. Miller is often asked by members of the Sioux to what particular tribe or council fire she belongs" Rapid City S.D. Daily Journal Tuesday June 15th 1948. I would like to thank Donovin Sprague for his help in providing me information regarding Mr. Miller. He spoke to many people back in Rapid City and provided me information from the Rapid City Daily Journal that I could not get on the Web. Donovin Sprague is an Author and Historian at Crazy Horse Memorial and is the Great Grandson of Chief Hump. I am please to have spoken with Donovin on this journey. The stories of Mr. Millers life are rich with history, especially in his early life when he first met many of the Survivors of the Little Big Horn Battle. Jean was at his side and a very large part of his life until her illness. Sometime while she was out west with David they were smoking a piece pipe and Jean contracted tuberculosis. It was a long hard battle with the sickness. That's how it was back in those days. Somehow someway David and Jean fell apart. His father left Jean(his mother) Rick and Robin (his sister). Rick was very young when his father left. Rick had not thought about David in many years as they never had any contact after Mr. Miller left sometime around 1952. Rick met his father once in the late sixty's. Please enjoy the pictures attached of a very beautiful Jean Spinoza and her Husband David Humphreys Miller. Famous Painter and historian of the Battle of Little Bighorn. My hope is to show pictures over the course of his life showing him painting the Indians that many people are trying to rewrite history and say he never painted them in life or collected their stories from their mouths to his ears. More pictures are coming. Please stay tuned. If there is any more information you can provide on Mr. Miller please let me know. David Eric Miller is in the foreground, on the left, on his father's lap. Across from him in the chair is John Sitting Bull. David Eric Miller must be about 12 months or so, as this was taken in '50-51. Seated behind David and his son is Ben Black Elk with the drum, Black Elk's son. David's mom was absent, convalescing from TB in a Bronx NY hospital. David Humphries Miller brought these incredible people to NYC for a Wild West show at the old Madison Square Garden. David Humphreys Miller sketching "One Bull" Sitting Bull's Adoptive Son. Sitting Bull adopted "One Bull at the Age of Three after one of his son's died" Jean and David Humphreys Miller 1947 Rapid City Indian Pageant Jean with sunglasses, David on the horse and an Unknown Indian mounted on a horse holding a flag. This is a great picture of Jean outwest with some of their friends. If you know who any of them are please let me know Jean with Indian Woman and I don't know my old Movie stars very well, but I think it's Janet Leigh David Painting Chief Ben American Horse David preparing for a parade with the Indians Joseph White Cow Bull. Died 1942. According to David Miller's Book "Custer's Fall" this is the Indian that killed George Armstrong Custer.
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Post by Californian on Sept 14, 2021 12:11:51 GMT -6
thank you Diane for restoring these images back to the site - they are wonderful to say the least
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