Lot Note:

Joe Brown (1909-1985) was a Philadelphia-born sculptor known for his dynamic bronze figures celebrating movement, athleticism, and civic life. He developed a practice rooted in public art and large-scale commissions, with works installed in prominent civic and institutional settings across the country.

In Philadelphia, his presence is especially visible through major public sculptures, including Benjamin Franklin – Craftsman at City Hall and his well-known athletic figures such as The Batter and Play at Second Base, now installed near Citizens Bank Park. These works reflect his distinctive ability to translate physical energy into monumental form, securing his place as a key figure in the city’s public art landscape.