John George Brown

Private Collection

Acquired by descent from the above by the present owner

Nym Crynkle, "The Arabs of New York," Quarterly Illustrator, vol. 2, New York, 1894, p. 126, illustrated (titled An Exchange of Courtesy)

Art and Artists of All Nations, New York, 1895, p. 144, illustrated

American Art League, Discussions on American Art and Artists by Celebrated American Artists, New York, circa 1896, p. 233 (titled An Exchange of Courtesy)

Periwell Norton, "J.G. Brown and His Works," The Ledger Monthly, New York, March 1899, p. 15, illustrated (titled An Eye for Color)

John George Brown was one of the leading genre painters of American nineteenth century art. Best known for his dynamic street scenes of children, Brown’s paintings offer an idealized and playful representation of local children as newsboys, street musicians and more. Many of his compositions illustrate the children in tight groups, embedding his subjects with a sense of camaraderie and community. 

Dated circa 1888-89, Vanity features three young children selling small boutonnieres. Many of Brown’s subjects illustrate children as salespeople, emphasizing their demand for financial return amidst the increasing industrialization of New York. The left-most figure holds a tray of roses, their pink and purple petals in stark contrast to the otherwise monotonous, brown palette of the painting. The figure at right gently places one of the boutonnieres onto his jacket, as if to model it for prospective buyers. As is characteristic of many of Brown’s subjects, Vanity possesses a lightness and sweet simplicity.