John George Brown (American, 1831-1913), Daisy

Oil on canvas (lined), 1864, signed and dated at lower right, presented in a later gilt frame with gallery plaque.

Stretcher size 14 x 10 in.; Frame dimensions 21 3/4 x 17 3/4 in.

Private Collection, California and North Carolina

Originally donated by the artist for sale at the Metropolitan Fair in aid of the United States Sanitary Commission, New York, 1864
Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, April 17, 1975, Lot 62
Adele A. Prayias Fine Art, Greenwich
Private Collection, Connecticut (acquired from the above)
Sotheby's, New York, American Paintings, March 6, 2008, Lot 122

This image was a personal favorite of John George Brown, who is known to have painted it at least twice. The first version, very similar to this one, was completed a year earlier in 1863. It was the same size and was sold at the artist’s estate sale on February 9 and 10, 1914, at the American Art Galleries in New York as lot 1, entitled Little Daisy.

This version was donated by Brown for exhibition and sale at the Metropolitan Fair to benefit the United States Sanitary Commission. A precursor to the American Red Cross, the Commission was founded by President Abraham Lincoln on June 13, 1861, to improve sanitary conditions in Union army camps and provide aid to sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War.