Portrait of John Brown Plus Literature by Edwin Riley
Cowan's February sale features a Portrait of John Brown and Literature by Edwin Garnet Riley. This lot is an interesting painting and group of material from an individual influenced heavily by and on the fringes of movements such as the Harlem Renaissance.
The folk art portrait is after the often reproduced photograph from 1859. It features added landscape and is housed in an oval, stenciled frame.
Edwin Riley was a Pittsburgh native and initially worked in Social Service, but his extracurriculars painted him in a different light. He was an author, poet, and painter, and his articles were published regularly in the Pittsburgh Press.
Most of Riley's literature was abolitionist in nature. He self-published several pamphlets and books, including A Tribute to John Brown, a book included with this painting.
A photograph of the artist's son standing before the painting, a biography of Riley from The History of Titusville, and a pair of signed book published by Riley are also included with this lot.
Cowan's Winter Fine and Decorative Art Auction will be held on February 20, 2010. Check out the full online catalogue!