Edgar Miller, an influential figure in Chicago’s mid-20th century art scene, is gaining renewed attention through a recently published graphic novel, *A Total Work Of Art: The Story Of Edgar Miller*. Despite being largely unknown to the wider public, Miller’s multifaceted contributions to modern art and architecture in Chicago are now being revisited and celebrated.
Born in 1899 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Miller demonstrated an early affinity for blending art with nature, an influence rooted in his upbringing. He spent part of his youth on his father’s bee farm in Australia before returning to the United States due to drought conditions. Miller later attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), though he left after two years to immerse himself in Chicago’s vibrant creative community. His initial residence at Jane Addams Hull House became the base for much of his artistic work.
Miller’s talents spanned a wide array of disciplines, including stained glass, sculpture, mural painting, stone cutting, woodcarving, graphic design, and architecture. He is especially noted for his transformative work on Victorian homes in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, converting them into intricately detailed studio apartments known as his “Handmade Homes.” Notable surviving examples include the Carl Street Studios (also called the Kogen-Miller Studios) on Burton Place and the Glasner Studio on Wells Street.
The newly released graphic novel, created by Hannah Dykstra and Jeff Kruse—director of operations for the Edgar Miller Legacy—combines vivid drawings and narrative to chronicle Miller’s life and artistic achievements. The book also draws heavily on previous research, notably the 2009 work *Edgar Miller And The Hand-Made Home: Chicago’s Forgotten Renaissance Man* by Rich Cahan and Michael Williams. Both projects have been supported by the Edgar Miller Legacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Miller’s art. Zac Bleicher, the founder and executive director of the Legacy, served as editor of the graphic novel.
The narrative covers a wide geographical and cultural scope, not only exploring Chicago’s Towertown neighborhood, the Century of Progress exposition, and Old Town in the 1960s but also including depictions of international cities such as Paris. It introduces prominent figures connected to Miller’s life, including millionaire patron Rudolph Glaser, photographer Paul Hansen, architect Andrew Rebori, poet Carl Sandburg, civil rights activist Fred Hampton, and artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Some interactions, such as Miller’s alleged meeting with Kahlo and Rivera, are acknowledged as creative reimaginings rather than historical fact.
The graphic novel addresses some of the complexities in Miller’s life, including the breakdown of his business relationship with real estate developer Sol Kogen and details of his two marriages. The creators note in the book’s afterword that while the major events depicted are grounded in reality, certain chronological adjustments and character composites were made for narrative cohesion.
Critics praise the book for its lyrical and evocative presentation, with Dykstra’s detailed illustrations capturing the interplay of light and colour in Miller’s work. The graphic novel marks a shift in the perception of the medium as a serious form of artistic biography, complementing the work of other acclaimed graphic novel projects such as 2023’s *Last On His Feet: Jack Johnson And The Battle Of The Century*.
Currently, some of Miller’s pieces alongside Dykstra’s art are featured at the Art on Sedgwick gallery in Chicago’s Old Town, close to the historic locations that inspired much of Miller’s work. The ongoing efforts of the Edgar Miller Legacy aim to ensure that his artistic contributions continue to receive recognition and appreciation. Miller passed away in 1993, and his papers are preserved at the Chicago History Museum, serving as a resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.