Royal Academy of Art, Antwerp: Gold Medal Crown of Laurel Leaves

Millet studied at Harvard, and graduated in 1869 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature. After obtaining his degree, Millet wanted to advance his artistic studies. Boston at the time had the Lowell Institute but its offerings were so limited as to be nearly useless. Other major American cities were not much better, so Millet enrolled in the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium.

In 1872, Frank Millet sailed for Antwerp, Belgium to begin his first year of fine art training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Art, where he studied under the prominent painting instructors Joseph Van Lerius and Nicaise de Keyser De Keyser.

In his first year at the Academy, he won a Silver Medal for his entry in the student competition, and a Gold Medal, in 1873, for the most outstanding work at the school.

Millet scholar, Michael Sullivan researched the City Archives in Antwerp for the Royal Academy records of Millet’s studies during the two academic years Millet attended of 1871-1872 and 1872-1873.  The following record of Millet’s number one performance for 1873 was located in the Archives, and is one of several records located during a June 2023 visit to Antwerp.  Dr. Peter Bosteels, professor of wood engraving kindly assisted with the June visit and did some initial translation of the French language records for both academic years.  Michael Sullivan’s photographs of the City Archive records can be seen in the research tab listing for Royal Academy City Archive Records.

The following is only one photograph of Millet’s  cumulative record of classes for 1873 in which he won the gold medal as the outstanding student for the year.

No other American student has ever won both a Silver and a Gold medal during their studies at the Academy.

These three Laurel leaves, still in the Millet family archives, were a part of the victor’s crown, placed on Franks head, May 4, 1873 when he won the Gold Medal for his painting.

The Royal Academy of Fine Art in Antwerp is one of the oldest schools of its kind in Europe. It was founded in 1663 by David Teniers the Younger, painter to the Archduke Leopold Wilhelm and Don Juan of Austria. Only the schools in Paris and Rome might compare with the school in Antwerp during the 19th century.