Joseph Brown

The National Gallery of Victoria today paid tribute to the contribution of one of its greatest philanthropists, Joseph Brown AO, OBE, and expressed sadness at his passing.

In 2004 Dr Brown gifted to the NGV the largest and most generous gift of Australian 19th and 20th century art ever donated to an Australian gallery or institution.

It included more than 100 major paintings and sculptures, 54 works on paper (watercolors, drawings and prints) and works by Dr Brown.

Lynne Kosky, Minister for the Arts, said that Dr Brown had left a tremendous legacy for all Australians: “His gift was extremely generous, and the outstanding artworks in his collection are a very important addition to the NGV’s holdings of Australian art.”

“Dr Brown was a great Australian who believed in sharing his outstanding collection with the community,” said NGV Director Dr Gerard Vaughan.

“All Australians have reason to be grateful to him for his extraordinary gift, which will be enjoyed in perpetuity by visitors to the NGV.

“Dr Brown was also very much part of NGV life. As Patron of the NGV Foundation he enjoyed attending functions, and was loved by all in the NGV community.

“The Trustees and staff of the NGV are deeply saddened by the passing of this great and visionary benefactor, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family at this time.”

Dr Brown was born in Lodz in Poland in 1918. He emigrated to Australia in 1933, attending Princes Hill Central School in Carlton, and later evening classes at the Working Men’s College (now RMIT) under the distinguished artist Napier Waller.

He received an art scholarship to attend Brunswick Technical School in 1934, and founded his own fashion business in 1938.

In 1940 he closed his business and enlisted in the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the AIF.

Returning to business in 1946, he travelled overseas and began collecting Australian art, especially of the colonial period. His great love, however, was the art world and the art market, and in 1960 he decided to become an art consultant and later dealer.

Throughout his life he continued to make sculptures and pictures of his own, and was never happier than when in the company of practising artists.

In 1967 he opened the Joseph Brown Gallery at 5 Collins St where he held solo shows for artists such as Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale, John Brack and Rick Amor, and presented large-scale historical surveys with published catalogues.

These exhibitions included artists such as John Glover, Eugène von Guérard, Tom Roberts, Fred McCubbin, Arthur Streeton, John Peter Russell, Rupert Bunny, Margaret Preston, Albert Tucker, John Perceval, and many others.

He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1973 and Order of Australia (AO) in 1990. He held honorary doctorates from Monash, Melbourne and LaTrobe Universities.

At the time of his great gift to the NGV in 2004, Joseph Brown highlighted the life of the NGV in the community:

“I am often very surprised when some people say they have not been to the National Gallery of Victoria. I always stress to them, this is their property. It’s their gallery, they should feel it is theirs. It’s not mine, it’s not (NGV Director) Gerard Vaughan’s, it belongs to the people.

“I would like all Victorians to feel they own this immense collection. Feel yourself rich for having it, and for enjoying it with your children and your grandchildren.”

For Dr Brown, collecting art was a lifelong love, and he believed that anyone of any age and background could become a collector.

The Joseph Brown Collection is located at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. It has become one of the NGV’s greatest visitor attractions. Admission is free.

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