.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Born in Nagy Bittse, Hungary on October 1, 1877, Maurice Braun emigrated to America with his parents at age four, settling in New York City. Braun attended the National Academy of Fine Arts from 1897-1900, and in 1901 he spent a year studying under William Merritt Chase.
On the East Coast, Braun began his professional career as a figure and portrait painter, although he soon found this style of painting to be artistically limiting. California's burgeoning art scene, fresh environment and active Theosophical Society lured Braun westward.
Braun became interested in the ideals of the Theosophical Society during his college years, and was a dedicated lifetime member of the group. This society attempted to merge truths common to all religions by combining aspects of Eastern and Western faith. Especially pertinent to Braun's esthetics was the group's use of light as metaphor: "The art student finds in Theosophy a clear, bright light by which, with true vision, fully alive to the real issues, his best efforts may come to their proper maturity." (Maurice Braun, "Theosophy and the Artist," Theosophical Path 14, January 1918, p. 7)
Mountains and Eucalyptus depicts a spectacular California vista, and gives us a Theosophical sense of the region's unmistakable light. Often returning to similar scenes to capture subtle changes in light and atmosphere, Braun transmits the moods of nature, rather than fine details of the landscape. This painting's strong composition and impressionistic technique are indicative of the artist's work. Delicate brushstrokes invite the viewer to the enter the scene near a eucalyptus grove situated on a grassy hill. Braun paints a transcendent scene--nature is sanctuary in the expansive view of the rosy hills and distant purple mountains. "[Braun] sees forms, the splendid mountain forms and broad stretches of valley so characteristic of California, in a big way, giving weight and solidarity to his interpretation." (Antony Anderson, The Los Angeles Times, January 20, 1918)
Braun remains one of California's most important early painters. Exhibiting his landscapes of the region at the National Academy of Design and the Carnegie Art Institute, he received favorable reviews from East Coast critics as early as 1911. Braun founded the San Diego Academy of Art in 1912 and was an active exhibitor on the West Coast, receiving gold medals at the San Diego and San Francisco World's Fairs of 1916. The landscapes of Southern California are Braun's legacy.
On the East Coast, Braun began his professional career as a figure and portrait painter, although he soon found this style of painting to be artistically limiting. California's burgeoning art scene, fresh environment and active Theosophical Society lured Braun westward.
Braun became interested in the ideals of the Theosophical Society during his college years, and was a dedicated lifetime member of the group. This society attempted to merge truths common to all religions by combining aspects of Eastern and Western faith. Especially pertinent to Braun's esthetics was the group's use of light as metaphor: "The art student finds in Theosophy a clear, bright light by which, with true vision, fully alive to the real issues, his best efforts may come to their proper maturity." (Maurice Braun, "Theosophy and the Artist," Theosophical Path 14, January 1918, p. 7)
Mountains and Eucalyptus depicts a spectacular California vista, and gives us a Theosophical sense of the region's unmistakable light. Often returning to similar scenes to capture subtle changes in light and atmosphere, Braun transmits the moods of nature, rather than fine details of the landscape. This painting's strong composition and impressionistic technique are indicative of the artist's work. Delicate brushstrokes invite the viewer to the enter the scene near a eucalyptus grove situated on a grassy hill. Braun paints a transcendent scene--nature is sanctuary in the expansive view of the rosy hills and distant purple mountains. "[Braun] sees forms, the splendid mountain forms and broad stretches of valley so characteristic of California, in a big way, giving weight and solidarity to his interpretation." (Antony Anderson, The Los Angeles Times, January 20, 1918)
Braun remains one of California's most important early painters. Exhibiting his landscapes of the region at the National Academy of Design and the Carnegie Art Institute, he received favorable reviews from East Coast critics as early as 1911. Braun founded the San Diego Academy of Art in 1912 and was an active exhibitor on the West Coast, receiving gold medals at the San Diego and San Francisco World's Fairs of 1916. The landscapes of Southern California are Braun's legacy.