The Brown Sisters, East Greenwich, Rhode Island

1980

Nicholas Nixon

Associated Names
Nicholas Nixon

Artist, American, born 1947

The image features four women, each visible from the waist up. They are standing closely together, with two in the foreground, one partially obscuring the other two. The woman on the left has straight hair pulled back loosely, with distinct eyebrows and a slight smile. She wears a light-colored button-up shirt with a collar. The second woman from the left has long, dark hair worn down and sports a similar light top with buttons. The third woman, behind the others, has long, straight hair and is looking directly at the camera. The woman on the right wears her hair parted in the middle and is embracing the third woman with her arms crossed in front. Both have strong jawlines and display slight smiles. They are dressed similarly in light-colored shirts. The background shows a blurred outdoor environment with what appears to be foliage or trees. The image is in black and white, with bright lighting emphasizing the women’s facial features and expressions.

Media Options

This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Patrons' Permanent Fund

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet: 20.2 x 25.2 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2001.67.170


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Joshua P. Smith, Washington, DC; NGA purchase, 2001.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2012

  • The Serial Portrait: Photography and Identity in the Last One Hundred Years: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, September 30–December 31, 2012

Bibliography

1999

  • Nixon, Nicholas. The Brown Sisters. The Museum of Modern Art. New York, 1999: pl. 6.

Inscriptions

across lower edge verso in graphite: Heather Brown, Mimi Brown, Bebe Brown Nixon, Laurie Brown Tranchin E. Greenwich, R.I. 1980 (39) Nicholas Nixon

Wikidata ID

Q64158490

You may be interested in

Loading Results