JOHN GEORGE BROWN (NY/CA, 1831-1913)

The Young Beggar Boy, oil on canvas, signed lower left and marked copyright, circa 1890, he is depicted in tattered clothing, seated on a crate against the limestone base of a large urban building, housed in the original deep cove gilt gesso frame, OS: 36" x 28", SS: 23 1/2" x 15 1/2". Fine condition, minor edge loss to frame.Known as the 'Boot-Black Raphael", Brown made a career of supplying city children genre scenes that satisfied Victorian tastes for sentimentality. Born in Durham, England, he trained as a glass blower, moving to Edinburgh to attend the Royal Scottish Academy, then to London at age 22, where he established a successful studio. He crossed over to Brooklyn, NY in 1854, and by 1860 had established himself with his portraits of tattered juveniles, becoming a member of and instructor at the National Academy. Toward the end of his life, his yearly income averaged $40,000. Originals sold for $500 to $700. Provenance: From the Estate of Jean Burrage, Damariscotta, ME.