Belmore Browne

Belmore Browne, born in Tompkinsville, New York, was both an accomplished artist and mountaineer. He studied at the New York School of Art and the Académie Julian in Paris, and his best-known works depict the landscapes and wildlife of Alaska, Washington, California, and the Canadian Rockies. His paintings combine meticulous naturalistic detail with a bold, expressive style.

Browne’s first trip to Alaska was at age eight, and between 1902 and 1912, he returned as a member of mammal-collecting expeditions for the American Museum of Natural History. He also participated in three early attempts to climb Mount McKinley. After World War I, Browne moved to Banff, Alberta, where he focused on art, producing background paintings for museum exhibits. He also served as director of the Santa Barbara School of Fine Arts from 1930. His works are held in major American museums, including the National Museum of American Art and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.