Eyre Crowe (1824-1910)

‘J F Millet in his Studio at Barbizon’ by Eyre Crowe A.R.A. (1899). Reproduction from Royal Academy Pictures, 1899, p. 113

Medium: oil

Size: 10 x 14 inches (25.5 x 34.2 cm)

Exhibited: Royal Academy, 1899; Manchester, 1899; Royal Academy Handley-Read Collection exhibition, 1972; Fine Art Society Handley-Read Collection exhibition, 1974

This painting appeared at the Royal Academy in 1899 under the title ‘J.F. Millet in his studio in Barbizon’.

It was probably one of the paintings remaining in Eyre Crowe’s possession after his death. An oil painting or sketch entitled Study Interior with Artist Painting, the same size (10 x 14 inches) as J.F. Millet, was part of the auction of the remaining works and possessions of Eyre Crowe by Messrs Furber on 22 Feb 1911, raising just 12 shillings.

The painting reappeared to public view in 1972 as part of an exhibition at the Royal Academy of the collection of the late Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read. It is not known when or how they acquired the painting. The catalogue of the exhibition gave the painting the title ‘The Studio’.

The painting was exhibited again in June 1974 in an exhibition of the Paintings, Watercolours and Drawings of the Handley-Read Collection at the Fine Art Society. The exhibition catalogue included a photograph of the painting, which matches exactly the ‘Royal Academy Pictures’ reproduction in 1899. The catalogue suggests that ‘the artist in the picture is working on what looks like a copy of The Angelus by J.F. Millet’. It seems more likely that Crowe was depicting Millet actually painting the original between 1857 and 1859. The Angelus was shown in an exhibition of Millet’s work in London in 1875. Eyre Crowe was interested in Millet’s life and work and drafted a biography of the French artist, which was never published.

Athenaeum, 27 May 1899:

Mr E. Crowe’s J F Millet in his studio at Barbizon (810) is a well-painted sunlit interior, with an interest beyond its art.