De Kooning and her husband were an important influence on Theophilus Brown during his time in New York following WWII and were part of his wider circle of friends which included Paul Hindemith, André Previn, Christopher Isherwood, Samuel Barber, and more. He commented that “particularly Elaine de Kooning took me under her wing.” Like de Kooning, Theophilus Brown had an impact on art history, part of the Bay Area Figurative movement that focused on figuration and representation against the overwhelming trend of abstraction and Abstract Expressionism. Also like de Kooning, Theophilus Brown would become famed for his paintings and portraits of men, complicating the art historical notions of portraiture. Visit our earlier exhibition “The Estate of Paul Wonner and William Theophilus Brown” to learn more and see examples of available works by Theophilus Brown.

De Kooning’s reputation as a portraitist would lead to the commission to paint a portrait of President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Like these earlier portraits, de Kooning would create a close bond and rapport with Kennedy, reflected in the paintings.

In its swirl of brushstrokes, “Bill Brown” is a stunning example of Elaine de Kooning’s ability to capture the personality of her sitter through her own lens and unmistakable hand.