34

JOHN GEORGE BROWN

American, 1831-1913

Shine Sir?

oil on canvas
signed lower left "Copyright / J.G. Brown N.A."
25 x 20 in. (63.5 x 50.8 cm.), Frame: 37 1/4 x 32 1/4 x 4 1/2 in. (94.6 x 81.9 x 11.4 cm.)

  • Provenance: A.J. Kollar Fine Paintings, LLC., Private Collection, Washington
  • Notes: John George Brown enjoyed a highly successful career during his lifetime as the richest and most celebrated genre painter in turn-of-the-century America. Brown is best known for his depictions of children, particularly street urchins, shoe-shine boys, flower sellers and newspaper boys. He romanticized poverty and depicted the children playing, laughing or in a comedic narrative. Shine Sir?, offered here, is a prime example of his portrayal of shoeshine boys. J.G. Brown was born into a poor family in Durham, England. His father, a lawyer, insisted that Brown learn a trade despite his early predilection for drawing. Brown apprenticed for seven years with a glass cutter and worked at this trade in Edinburgh, Scotland where he attended the School of the Royal Scottish Academy.
    When he was 22 years old, he went to London and earned money painting portraits. While in London, he heard a music hall performer singing about American life. He decided to move to Brooklyn and took a job as a glass cutter at the Flint Glass Works in Brooklyn. His employer was so impressed with Brown's designs that he helped Brown study with miniature painter Thomas Cummings. Brown later married Cummings' daughter.
    Brown continued to study painting, taking night classes at the National Academy of Design. In May of 1856 he rented his own studio in Brooklyn. By 1863, he was elected a member of the National Academy of Design and began teaching classes at the Academy. From this point forward, Brown became known as "the boot-black Raphael." He sold original paintings for $500-700 earning around $40,000 annually and making royalties from lithographs of his paintings that were distributed with packaged tea. A vast sum in the 1860s.
    J.G. Brown was tremendously successful within his lifetime, and his works continue to be collected by several prominent museums and private collectors. His works can be seen in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston among others.
  • Condition: in very good to excellent overall condition; unlined canvas; a few very minor dots of restoration apparent under UV in the boy's shoe on the right

    CONDITION REPORTS FOR THE AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A CONDITION REPORT ON THIS LOT. THE ABSENCE OF A CONDITION REPORT OR THE ABSENCE OF A REFERENCE TO DAMAGE DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE LOT IS IN GOOD CONDITION OR FREE FROM RESTORATION OR REPAIR.

    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. 
    NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE. 

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October 30, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
Milford, CT, US

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