Roger Brown / Chicago: Works by Roger Brown in Chicago Area Public Collections

During his prolific and tragically abbreviated career Roger Brown (1941–1997) was recognized internationally for his significant contributions to the history of Chicago art and to Twentieth Century American art. Through his intensely personal aesthetic Brown changed the way many of us see the world at large and Chicago in particular. In 1962 Brown moved to Chicago from his home state of Alabama to study at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He settled into the city’s urban environment, which soon became a locus and springboard for his artistic vision. Although Brown addressed the enormity of the American landscape, as well as local, regional, national, international, and deeply personal events in works throughout his career, he made many paintings that were specifically inspired by and rooted in this region. Fortunately, many of his works found permanent homes in the city's museums and public collections.

This directory was created by Sarah Martin, graduate intern at the Roger Brown Study Collection (spring 2001), to assist visitors to the RBSC, who often want to know where they can see additional works by Roger Brown. The directory lists works that are permanently or regularly on view in Chicago-area public collections. (Hours or locations of works in institutions may change.)

Note: The Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the David and Alfred Smart Museum at the University of Chicago, and the Mary and Leigh Block Gallery at Northwestern University have all acquired exceptional works by Roger Brown. Since they are on view intermittently, they are not listed in this directory.