Joan Brown, Self Portrait, 1977. Oil enamel on canvas, 84 x 72 inches.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has recently acquired Joan Brown's Self Portrait from 1977. Self-portraiture was a major part of Brown's practice, this one being of particular significance. Brown directly challenges stereotypes that women artists often face, depicting herself seated in her studio wear white gloves, a billowy dress and heels painting a still-life when in actuality she wore sensible clothes often splattered in paint. This acquisition comes after PAFA's commitment to focusing on women artists and artists of color in their collection.
Read more about PAFA's commitment to diversifying their collection here.
More information on the acquisition here.