The artwork, titled “Brother Brown,” was created by Lois Mailou Jones in 1931. It belongs to the Post-Impressionism movement and is a portrait genre piece.
The artwork depicts an older man seated leisurely on a green bench beneath the shade of a large tree. He is attired in light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, suggestive of a rural or working-class background. The man appears relaxed, smoking a pipe and holding a stick or cane with one hand, while the other rests on his thigh. Beside him, there is a large burlap sack marked with the word “POTA,” likely short for potatoes, hinting at agrarian or laborious work. The background presents a richly green park setting with tall trees and a red brick building, offering a serene yet vivid tableau characteristic of Post-Impressionist techniques. The expression on the man’s face is composed, adding a contemplative and introspective dimension to the portrait.
