James Brown (1863-1943)
Blackpool valley, Devon
Signed and dated with the artist's pseudonym, ‘P. Conway 1913’
Oil on canvas
4 x 21 inches

Provenance: Christie's, lot 210, 9th March 1990

£7,500

Click on image to view larger versions

This beautiful painting is a keynote in the development of what has become known as British Impressionism. The artist was a very good friend and painting companion of Lucien Pissarro (son of Camille Pissarro) and in fact they both painted exactly the same view, presumably side by side as Pissarro's version is of the same date.

​

James Brown was born in London. His first interest was in music and he was an authority on string instruments and the originator of the practice of polychordia and published a folio of sheet music on the subject. He came to painting later in life and it was only when his work was spotted at an exhibition by the art critic Frank Rutter that an introduction was made to Lucien Pissarro. The two became very good friends and together with James Bolivar Manson spent time painting together in Devon and elsewhere. This connection also brought him into contact with the painters of the Camden Town Group. He exhibited rarely but did take part in two exhibitions at the New English Art Club in 1913/1914 and also the Post Impressionist and Fauvist show at the Doré Gallery at a similar time. He often used the pseudonym, P Conway, particularly at exhibitions.