John Brown (artist)
Encyclopedia
John Brown was a Scottish artist. The son of a watchmaker
, he was born at Edinburgh
and studied there at the Trustees’ Academy. In 1769 he traveled to Rome, where he became a pupil of Alexander Runciman
, and where he lived for the next eleven years. In Italy and Sicily
he made sketches of the ruins of ancient buildings for his Scottish patrons, William Townley and Sir William Young, and sent drawings to the Royal Academy
.
Brown worked on a small scale and favored pencil, pen and wash as his media. Notable among his drawings are a number of genre scenes, such as Two Men in Conversation (c. 1775–80; Courtauld Institute, London), which show the influence of Henry Fuseli
, with whom Brown was friendly.
In 1780 he returned to Scotland, and over the next several years drew many portraits of dignitaries. He lived in London in 1786–87, and exhibited miniature portrait
s. He returned to Scotland in ill health and died at Leith
in 1787.
Watchmaker
A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since virtually all watches are now factory made, most modern watchmakers solely repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their parts, by hand...
, he was born at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and studied there at the Trustees’ Academy. In 1769 he traveled to Rome, where he became a pupil of Alexander Runciman
Alexander Runciman
Alexander Runciman was a Scottish painter of historical and mythological subjects. He was the elder brother of John Runciman, also a painter....
, and where he lived for the next eleven years. In Italy and Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
he made sketches of the ruins of ancient buildings for his Scottish patrons, William Townley and Sir William Young, and sent drawings to the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
.
Brown worked on a small scale and favored pencil, pen and wash as his media. Notable among his drawings are a number of genre scenes, such as Two Men in Conversation (c. 1775–80; Courtauld Institute, London), which show the influence of Henry Fuseli
Henry Fuseli
Henry Fuseli was a British painter, draughtsman, and writer on art, of Swiss origin.-Biography:...
, with whom Brown was friendly.
In 1780 he returned to Scotland, and over the next several years drew many portraits of dignitaries. He lived in London in 1786–87, and exhibited miniature portrait
Portrait miniature
A portrait miniature is a miniature portrait painting, usually executed in gouache, watercolour, or enamel.Portrait miniatures began to flourish in 16th century Europe and the art was practiced during the 17th century and 18th century...
s. He returned to Scotland in ill health and died at Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
in 1787.