John Appleton Brown

It was the fortune, not too common among our artists, of J. Appleton Brown, to make a clearly original contribution to the art of his country. Although he went abroad very early and studied under the now almost forgotten Emile Lambinet, the individuality of his gift was so pronounced that his work shows little indication of foreign training. Of foreign influence, it is possible that that of Corot, for whom his admiration amounted to devotion, was considerable; but it was not obvious, and did not subdue the note of his own charming personality. Born a country boy, he retained his love for the enticing scenery of the Merrimac, where he kept his home to the last, and that region is closely associated with him in the minds of those who loved him and his work. And few men have won more affection for what they did or what they were. With depth and earnestness of character he combined a gentle temperament, shrewd and often droll wit, and peculiarly alert intelligence. He died in the very height of his powers,—all too soon for his many and warm friends, and to the irreparable loss of American art.

Edward Cary
1903 Century Association Yearbook