The Bride

The Bride
by Joan Brown, 1970

Who are the main characters in this painting?

Where are they?

What do you think their relationship is to each other?

Although this painting looks flat, Joan Brown created the illusion of three "layers" of depth: the foreground, the midground, and the background.

This picture shows the foreground. To go back to the original painting, click anywhere on the picture.

Joan Brown was born in San Francisco, attended the San Francisco Art Institute, and later taught art at the University of California, Berkeley. Brown's art is very personal and autobiographical.

How do you think Joan Brown felt about animals?

Among Brown's favorite things were long-distance swimming, learning about far-away cultures, and animals (she was famous for adopting stray cats!). She was married four times.

Can you find any clues of these parts of her life in this painting?

Brown used many non-traditional materials in her art, such as glitter, sequins, and fur. She liked to make huge paintings so she could "enter the picture and walk around in it." This painting is 9 feet tall and 5 feet wide!

If this painting suddenly came to life, what would happen? Make up a story and send it to us!