Small Old Oil Painting

This is an oil on cardboard, size is about 8" X 6".

Rather macabre scene, I think it's someone being prepared for burial. Why is he in what looks like a basket?

Signed W. H. Mill I think, dated 1887.

Anyone recognize the signature, or know of an artist by that name?

 

I see W. M. Mill or Mills. Not having any luck tracking down an artist for this. Fairly competent but not entirely professional. It was common to transport bodies in wicker coffins, though this looks less coffin-like than the ones I have seen.

 

Thanks verybrad. Taking another look at the signature, maybe it could be W. H. Hill. I see some examples of work by W. H. Hill online. Timeframe is turn of the century for those, the signature is close on those examples but not an exact match. Could he have modified his signature a bit over time from this early example?

 

Don't think it is the same artist.

 

With amateur artists, it is almost impossible to find who did it.
It looks like it is a copy of a known work, either an illustration or a painting.

 

A thought.....depending on WHERE he's being 'buried', he could be being readied for a 'pyre'........especially if there was Typhoid or some such going around they were trying to stop at the time!

 

Agree. That's not the work of a fully-trained artist. And although (late) Victorian date, scene is meant to be earlier to my eye. A Google Lens search didn't bring up a match. Wouldn't be surprised if based on an illustration.

Debora