Joan Brown (1938–1990) was an American figurative painter associated with the Bay Area Figurative Movement. Here are key points about Joan Brown:1. **Early Life:** Joan Brown was born on February 19, 1938, in San Francisco, California. She grew up in the Bay Area and developed an early interest in art.2. **Art Education:** Brown studied at the California School of Fine Arts (now the San Francisco Art Institute), where she was influenced by the Bay Area Figurative painters, including Richard Diebenkorn and Elmer Bischoff.3. **Bay Area Figurative Movement:** Brown emerged as one of the key figures in the Bay Area Figurative Movement, a significant art movement in the 1950s and 1960s that moved away from abstract expressionism and returned to figurative and representational art.4. **Personal Style:** Brown's early work often featured vibrant colors, expressive brushstrokes, and a focus on the human figure. She incorporated personal and autobiographical elements into her paintings.5. **Marriage to Manuel Neri:** Brown married fellow artist Manuel Neri in 1957. The two artists influenced each other's work, and their relationship is reflected in the art they created.6. **Travel and Influence:** Brown traveled extensively, including trips to Mexico, Europe, and Asia. These travels influenced her artistic style and subject matter.7. **Symbolism and Mythology:** In the 1970s, Brown's work began to incorporate symbolic and mythological elements. She drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including ancient mythology and religious iconography.8. **Later Career:** Brown continued to evolve as an artist, exploring new themes and incorporating diverse materials into her work. Her later paintings often included complex compositions and layered narratives.9. **Teaching:** In addition to her career as an artist, Brown taught art at the University of California, Berkeley, and the California College of Arts and Crafts.10. **Death:** Joan Brown passed away on October 26, 1990, at the age of 52, in Puttaparthi, India. She was participating in a program associated with the spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba at the time of her death.11. **Legacy:** Joan Brown's contributions to the Bay Area Figurative Movement and her distinctive approach to figurative painting have earned her a lasting place in the history of American art. Her work is held in major museum collections, and retrospectives of her art have been organized posthumously.Joan Brown's art is characterized by its emotional depth, personal symbolism, and engagement with the human figure. Her exploration of diverse themes and her influence on the Bay Area Figurative Movement have solidified her position as a significant figure in American art.
Measures 40 x 21.25.

Good condition. No major rips, tears, etc.