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“Reptiles” — Original 1973 artwork by Gene Carroll Brown (G.C. Brown)
An extraordinary and extensively detailed original work created in 1973 by Texas prison artist Gene Carroll Brown, signed “By G.C. Brown” and inscribed "Reptiles" on the front and inscribed on the reverse “Original / by G.C. Brown / 1973.
Brown was convicted of murder with malice in Texas and sentenced to life imprisonment. His conviction was affirmed in Brown v. State in 1962, and he continued challenging the conviction through subsequent proceedings, including the federal case Gene Carroll Brown v. George J. Beto, decided by the Fifth Circuit in 1970.
Provenance: I purchased this artwork as a child in the Houston area in 1973 through an exhibition associated with artist and gallery operator Margaret Crowthers. My mother was an artist who exhibited work in Crowthers’ shows, and our family attended approximately ten of her exhibitions over several years. I remember approximately ten works by Brown being available at the show where I selected this one. Most of the others were strongly geometric compositions using black, blue and red with numerous circular forms. I chose Reptiles, which was distinctive for its softer multicolored background.
Margaret Crowthers Studios is documented as having sponsored a large exhibition of artwork by Huntsville State Prison inmates at Houston’s Gulfgate Shopping City in May 1973. I was nine years old at the time and cannot state with certainty that Gulfgate was the particular Crowthers exhibition at which I purchased this piece, but the date and circumstances correspond closely with my recollection. I have owned the artwork continuously since 1973.
Brown later married Margaret Crowthers.
Size: approximately 12 1/4 x 13 1/4 inches.
The work is executed directly on artist’s board. The precise combination of drawing/coloring media is unknown, so I have not attempted to identify the materials beyond what can be seen in the photographs.
Condition: Vintage original in unrestored condition. The board has some bowing/warping from age and having previously been framed without glass, along with expected edge/corner wear and other minor signs of age. Please see the photographs, including the side-view photograph showing the curvature of the board. I have made no attempt to flatten or restore it.
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