Who painted The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?)?

The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?) was painted by Horatio Greenough in 1850.

Where can I see The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?)?

The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?)?

The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?)?

Museum-quality prints of The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?)

Horatio Greenough , 1850

The Artist's Brother - Richard Greenough (?) is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Horatio Greenough. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right verso in graphite: unknown man by / Horatio Greenough / sepia ink drg.; lower left verso: 24 (reversed) / purchased June 1955 / from Mrs. H. [not deciphered] (a descendent in Zurich) [not deciphered]

About this work

Overview

This drawing, executed in pen and brown ink over graphite on wove paper, is attributed to the American sculptor Horatio Greenough and dates to approximately 1850. The work depicts a male figure identified as the artist’s brother, though the sitter’s identity as Richard Greenough remains tentative.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait focuses on an individual rendered with intimate immediacy, suggesting a familial connection. The sitter’s relaxed posture and direct gaze convey a personal rather than formal engagement, reinforcing the likelihood of a close relationship between artist and subject.

Technique & Style

Greenough employs a restrained yet confident line, combining delicate graphite underdrawing with assured ink strokes. The medium allows for both precision and spontaneity, capturing subtle tonal variations while maintaining a sense of fluidity characteristic of preparatory or private studies.

History & Provenance

Little is documented about the drawing’s early history. Its attribution to Greenough and the tentative identification of the sitter derive from stylistic comparisons and circumstantial evidence. The work has likely remained in private or institutional collections since its creation.

Context

Created mid-nineteenth century, the drawing reflects a period in which American artists increasingly explored domestic and personal subjects. Greenough, primarily known for sculpture, occasionally turned to drawing, possibly for study or as a means of recording those close to him.