Braun, Maurice (1877-1941)

From a local estate and fresh to the market…
Born on October 1, 1877 in Nagy-Bittse, Hungary (now Slovakia), Braun immigrated with his family to New York City at the age of four. Showing early artistic talent, he spent his youth frequenting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where he developed a passion for painting by copying the works of masters. Braun’s formal art education began in 1897 at the National Academy of Design in New York, followed by a year under William Merritt Chase at the New York School of Art. Later, his European travels from 1902 to 1903 deepened his artistic insights, particularly in Berlin, Vienna, and Hungary, before focusing on portraiture and figure painting upon his return. Influenced by the Theosophical movement, Braun moved to California in 1909, establishing a studio in San Diego. He later built his own studio on Point Loma, captivated by Southern California’s luminous landscapes which he depicted with a delicate and meditative quality. His serene compositions contrasted with the prevailing abstract expressionism of the time, earning him acclaim and numerous awards, including Gold Medals from the Panama-California Exposition and recognition in major exhibitions across the United States. Braun’s leadership in the San Diego artistic community was marked by the founding of the San Diego Art Academy, followed by the co-founding of the San Diego Art Guild in 1915. Known for his plein-air painting approach, Braun’s outdoor sketches captured the essence of California’s natural beauty, often translating into larger canvases exhibited widely throughout his career. He passed away in his lovely Point Loma home on November 7, 1941, but Braun’s legacy lives on through his artwork, and continues to be celebrated for its evocative interpretations of the Western landscape.