Art Blogging: John George Brown

John George Brown (1831-1913) was a British-born American Realist painter. He studied at the Edinburgh Academy and then the National Academy of Design in New York City. Brown settled in that city and painted popular genre scenes from urban childhood life. In contrast to Progressivists’ critical view of Industrial Age life, Brown’s optimism about this era shines through his cheerful, idealized depictions of street children.


I first discovered Brown at my hometown museum, where Three for Five is held. It is a large and well-preserved canvas, rich in intricate detail. Of note are Brown's precise anatomical depiction of the boy's face and neck, as well as his delicate draping of the ill-fitting pants and shirt. It has a slightly soft, hazy tone conducive to conveying a sense of ethereal other-worldliness.











Music Hath No Charms. Good ol' American kitsch. This is a place for humor in art, no?

Click on the picture for a larger view, which vividly displays the dog's pained expression.