A Deaf Artist In Early America: The Worlds Of John Brewster Jr.

A Deaf Artist In Early America: The Worlds Of John Brewster Jr., October 4, 2006 – January 7, 2007 at the American Folk Art Museum in New York, NY. "...John Brewster Jr. (1766–1854) was a deaf portrait painter who created beautiful and ethereal images of American people during the formative period of the nation. This is the first major exhibition in more than forty years to highlight Brewster’s extraordinary life and work. Born in Hampton, Connecticut, Brewster helped create a style of American portraiture that came to dominate rural New England. Brewster was influenced by the paintings of Connecticut artist Ralph Earl but simplified the settings and introduced broad flat areas of color, and soft, expressive facial features. He was especially sensitive to the sitter’s face, emphasizing his or her direct gaze—as a deaf artist, eye contact became a moment of engagement and communication." Also... Intense Visions by a Painter Who Couldn’t Hear by Holland Cotter (New York Times, October 6, 2006).