1
On the Coast of France
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 39 × 26 cm
Same size as the original $268 77 × 51 cm Order at original size →
John Appleton Brown, 1844 – 1902
The 6 Most Famous John Appleton Brown Paintings, Ranked
The best-loved painting by John Appleton Brown is On the Coast of France (1875), which hangs in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. New England Landscape (1887) and A Showery May Morning come next among the canvases readers know best. Our catalogue holds 6 works by John Appleton Brown: here are the 6 most famous, each with its year, its museum and what makes it memorable.
Ranked by our popularity score, which combines the searches, visits and orders for each work. Updated November 2026. Each painting on this page can be ordered as an oil reproduction painted by hand on linen canvas, or as a fine art print, made to the size you choose.
- Born · died
- 1844 – 1902, West Newbury
- Works in our catalogue
- 6
- Most famous
- On the Coast of France (1875)
- Most works at
- Museum of Fine Arts
Top 10 John Appleton Brown paintings: the canvases everyone knows
2
New England Landscape
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 35 × 29 cm
Same size as the original $224 56 × 45 cm Order at original size →
3
A Showery May Morning
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 37 × 27 cm
Same size as the original $405 107 × 79 cm Order at original size →
4
Hillside in Summer
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 35 × 29 cm
Same size as the original $219 53 × 44 cm Order at original size →
5
Early Summer
Hand-painted oil reproduction from $178 35 × 29 cm
Same size as the original $353 91 × 74 cm Order at original size →
Where John Appleton Brown's canvases hang
The 2 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by John Appleton Brown | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 5 | On the Coast of France, New England Landscape, A Showery May Morning |
 Harvard Art Museums |
Cambridge | 1 | Pond in the Woods |
John Appleton Brown's best-loved canvases, year by year
13 years at the easel, from 1875 to 1887: John Appleton Brown's best-loved canvases, year by year.
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1875
1 of 6On the Coast of France
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1887
Canvas 2 of 6New England Landscape
About John Appleton Brown's canvases: your questions answered
What is the best-known painting by John Appleton Brown?Read the answer
On the Coast of France (1875), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. New England Landscape (1887) and A Showery May Morning follow.
What age was John Appleton Brown when On the Coast of France was painted?Read the answer
John Appleton Brown, born in 1844, was 31 years old: On the Coast of France dates from 1875.
How many works did John Appleton Brown paint in all?Read the answer
6 works by John Appleton Brown are in our catalogue, dated 1875 to 1887.
Where can I see John Appleton Brown's most famous canvases?Read the answer
Mostly in Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) and Harvard Art Museums (Cambridge); the list above names each museum and its canvases.
Which are John Appleton Brown's earliest and latest famous canvases?Read the answer
The earliest canvas here is On the Coast of France (1875); the latest is New England Landscape (1887).
Which John Appleton Brown canvases hang at the Museum of Fine Arts?Read the answer
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston holds 5 of the works on this page, among them On the Coast of France, New England Landscape and A Showery May Morning.
Can I buy a reproduction of a John Appleton Brown canvas?Read the answer
Yes. Every painting on this page can be ordered from its own page as an oil reproduction painted by hand, or as a fine art print, in the size you choose.
John Appleton Brown: a life in paint
The Life and Art of John Appleton Brown
Born in West Newbury, Massachusetts, John Appleton Brown was an American landscape painter who worked primarily in oils and pastels. His artistic journey began with studies under Alfred Thompson Bricher before he traveled to France in 1866. During his time in France, he studied under Emile Lambinet, a protégé of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. By the 1870s, Brown had become a successful painter in Boston, exhibiting his work at the Boston Art Club and various prominent galleries. In 1874, he and his wife, the artist Agnes Augusta Bartlett, traveled to France to study and paint, eventually displaying his work at the Paris Salon of 1875.
Brown's career saw him move from the artistic circles of Boston to an artists' colony in England in 1886, where he worked alongside figures such as John Singer Sargent. He also spent summers on Appledore Island among the Isles of Shoals, painting seascapes like Storm at the Isles of Shoals. In the 1890s, his success led him to move to New York City. His technical skill was recognized on a grand scale when he received a medal at the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. He died in New York City in 1902.
Artistic Style and Subject Matter
Brown was noted for his lyrical landscapes, particularly those of the rural New England countryside. In the 1880s, he adopted a brighter palette and frequently painted images of fruit trees in full flower, earning him the sobriquet "Appleblossom Brown." His works were often described as tender and delicate, capturing the essence of nature. His repertoire included a variety of natural scenes, such as:
His ability to capture light and shadow was celebrated by critics, with some noting his evocative treatment of clouds and water. His art even served as inspiration for poetry and book illustrations, such as his collaboration with Lucy Larcom for the book Landscape in American Poetry.