Heiress, Socialite, Philanthropist. The daughter of the late Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, founder of the Whitney Museum, Mrs. Miller served the museum first as a trustee in 1936, then as president and chairman. At the time of her death, she was honorary chairman of the museum. Her daughter, Flora Miller Biddle, is the present chairman of the Whitney Museum. It was under Mrs. Miller's presidency that the family museum was transformed into a national organization, with outside trustees and a broad program of nationwide activities. She envisioned the museum's program as one that ''will serve the artist, the public and art institutions.'' In 1980, Mrs. Miller made a much publicized appearance at Sotheby Parke Bernet, for the sale of a Turner painting that had been in her family since 1901. The painting, ''Juliet and Her Nurse'' was sold for $6.4 million, described then as the highest price for artwork ever sold at auction.
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
Heiress, Socialite, Philanthropist. The daughter of the late Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, founder of the Whitney Museum, Mrs. Miller served the museum first as a trustee in 1936, then as president and chairman. At the time of her death, she was honorary chairman of the museum. Her daughter, Flora Miller Biddle, is the present chairman of the Whitney Museum. It was under Mrs. Miller's presidency that the family museum was transformed into a national organization, with outside trustees and a broad program of nationwide activities. She envisioned the museum's program as one that ''will serve the artist, the public and art institutions.'' In 1980, Mrs. Miller made a much publicized appearance at Sotheby Parke Bernet, for the sale of a Turner painting that had been in her family since 1901. The painting, ''Juliet and Her Nurse'' was sold for $6.4 million, described then as the highest price for artwork ever sold at auction.
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
Bio by: Bobby Kelley
