Richard Norris Brooke (American, 1847-1920)

March at Sunset or The Old Story

Oil on canvas, signed and retaining two labels on the reverse with titles.

Painting size: 12.25” x 21.25”
Frame size: 18.75” x 27.5”

Born in Warrington, Virginia in 1847, Richard Norris Brooke made significant contributions to the development and posterity of the art community in Washington, DC. From his days as an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute to his tenure as vice principal of the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, Brooke shared his talent and enthusiasm for art with those around him. To this day, the Washington community honors his legacy with works on exhibit in venues from the U.S. Capitol to the National Museum of American Art.

Brooke's formal art education spanned many years and the Atlantic Ocean. Beginning in Pennsylvania, Brooke studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1865 to 1871 under the tutelage of Edmund Bonsall and James R. Lambin. From there he traveled to France but not before a slight detour as the Chair of Fine Arts at the Virginia Military Institute from 1871 to 1872. From VMI, he traveled to France as the U.S. Consul in LaRochelle from 1873-1876. Brooke returned for a year to the United States before traveling back to France to study with Leon Bonnat and at the Académie Julian, Paris under Benjamin Jean-Joseph Constant from 1877 to 1879.

Upon Brooke's return to the United States, he settled in Washington, DC. A year later, in 1880, he established his own Washington, DC art studio. From then forward, he became an active member of the Washington art community, exhibiting on a regular basis, and joining organizations dedicated to fine arts. Perhaps his most active role as a Washington artist came when he served as vice principal of the Corcoran School of Art from 1902 until 1917. Brooke kept a "Record of Work" for all his paintings, a copy of which is in the library of the Museum of American Art, Washington D.C., which includes a thumbnail sketch, title, location and date painted of most of his paintings. Unfortunately, c.1909, a fire in his studio destroyed many of his paintings, just prior to a major retrospective exhibition.

Brooke's many memberships included the Society of Washington Artists for which he served as both President and a member of the Executive Committee during his tenure. Additionally, he was the Vice President of the Washington Art Club from 1881 to 1884. The Washington Society of Fine Arts, Washington Watercolor Club and American Federation of the Arts, complete the list of associations of which he was a member.

With participation in exhibitions from the National Academy of Design (NYC) to the Atlanta Expo, Brooke's work found its way into many private collections. Brooke died April 25, 1920 in Warrington VA. where he also lived and worked.