Figure 1.--John G. Brown painted this wonderfully nostalgic pintiing of snowball fight in 18??.

John G. Brown was a major genre artist in late 19th century America. His panitings showed an optimistic, more pleasant aspects of growing up in 19th-century America. He rather reminds us of a 19th century Norman Rockwell. Brown studied at the Edinburgh Academy and the National Academy. He came to the United States in 1853 from Britain. While we have little biographical information about him, we note wonderful vignettes of 19th century, mostly urban life. Many of his best remembered paintings were from the late 19th century, but there were also some one in the early 20th century as well. Some of his favorite subjects were children, depicting them in highly sentimental scenes from boys shining shoes to having snowball fights. Another favorite is a boy eyeing a fruit stand. One lovely portrait was of a "Miss. Gibson," a little girl in her best white party dress and hair ribbon. Most of the boys he painted were done in ordinary clothes--commonly kneepants. We do not know if also painted portraits of boys in their party clothes. Normally the boys were shown at work or play rather than done up for a party. Many of these paintings are instantly recognizable, but few can name the artist.

Parents

Childhood

We have no information on Brown's childhood or how he was dressed as a boy.

Education

Brown studied at the Edinburgh Academy and the National Academy. He came to the United States in 1853 from Britain.

Themes

John G. Brown was a major genre artist in late 19th century America. Many of these paintings are instantly recognizable, but few can name the artist. His panitings showed an optimistic, more pleasant aspects of growing up in 19th-century America. He rather reminds us of a 19th century Norman Rockwell. While we have little biographical information about him, we note wonderful vignettes of 19th century, mostly urban life. Many of his best remembered paintings were from the late 19th century, but there were also some one in the early 20th century as well. Some of his favorite subjects were children, depicting them in highly sentimental scenes from boys shining shoes to having snowball fights. Another favorite is a boy eyeing a fruit stand.

Clothing Depicted

One lovely portrait was of a "Miss. Gibson," a little girl in her best white party dress and hair ribbon. Most of the boys he painted were done in ordinary clothes--commonly kneepants and long stockings. A variety of caps are common. Mny boys wear suspenders. We do not know if also painted portraits of boys in their party clothes. Normally the boys were shown at work or play rather than done up for a party.

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Created: May 13, 2002
Last updated: May 13, 2002