Frank Millet painted a series of Men in Uniform, which included his old friend Archibald Willingham Butt, aide to both Taft and Roosevelt. Frank Millet often stayed at Archie’s Washington home on G Street and the two travelled together to Italy before returning home on the Titanic.
Frank was concerned about Archie’s state of mind after the loss of his mother, and the marriage of Archie’s great love, Mathilde Townsend to another man. Butt was also distressed about political issues in Washington between Taft and Roosevelt. The trip to Italy to open a new school of art was to be a vacation for Archie Butt. The rest of their story is well-known, and the tragic outcome of the loss of both men.
The painting of Archie Butt was inherited by the grand -niece of Archie Butt, the former Margaret Morgan, daughter of Shirley Morgan and Arrington Butt (Archie’s brother’s one child). The feet have been cut off the portrait so the painting could hang over a mantle. Ultimately the portrait will find its way to Augusta, Georgia, to the art museum there.
Copy courtesy of owner, all rights reserved. For personal use only. May not be reproduced for publication in any form.
Yes, the Sargent painting is wonderful from Frank’s Broadway art colony garden in England. Sargent’s painting of Mrs. Millet is also glorious. I spent two intensive years researching Archie, traveling to Georgia and interviewing family. I hope to publish more soon. The family treasures its privacy of course, and so I have not revealed the location or names of the surviving family. They own many of Archie’s personal possessions from the Washington D.C. house which were left to his brother Lewis. The books of Archie’s letters are often on Ebay as well as his publication Both Sides of the Shield. Many of his other personal unpublished papers are in the possession of the State of Georgia archives. Fascinating men- both Millet and Butt. /Shelley
What a find! Congratulations! I’ve done some research about Frank Millet and have written a book for young readers entitled ‘Carnation,Lily,Lily, Rose: The Story of a Painting’ about John Singer Sargent’s famous paintings of two little girls lighting paper lanterns in a garden. The garden was Frank Millet’s and the first model for the painting was Kate Millet, Frank’s daughter. I’ve also read Archie Butts’ letters and would love to research him more. Does the family have Archie’s papers? When will the painting be available for public viewing?
Thanks,
Hugh Brewster