Frank Miles was an English artist, noted for his delicate pencil portraits of society figures and celebrities of his time. Born in 1852 in Bath, England, Miles came from a background that was supportive of his artistic interests. He pursued his art education at the Royal Academy Schools, where he honed his skills and developed his distinctive style of portraiture, which would later become highly sought after by the British elite.
Miles's career flourished in the late 19th century, a period marked by a fascination with beauty and aestheticism in Victorian society. His ability to capture the subtleties of his subjects' characters and the softness of their features made his work immensely popular among the aristocracy and literary circles. He became closely associated with the Aesthetic Movement, which emphasized art for art's sake, and his circle included prominent figures such as Oscar Wilde and James McNeill Whistler.
Despite his success, Miles's life was not without its challenges. His health was fragile, and he struggled with mental health issues, which eventually led to a decline in his productivity and social standing. In 1891, at the age of 39, Frank Miles died in an asylum, his promising career cut short by his personal difficulties. Today, despite the tragic end to his life, Miles is remembered for his contribution to Victorian art, particularly his exquisite pencil portraits that continue to captivate audiences with their elegance and sensitivity.