MFAH Curator Michael K. Brown Has Died

by Paula Newton September 10, 2013

 

Photo: Dave Rossman for the Houston Chronicle

Photo: Dave Rossman for the Houston Chronicle

Michael K. Brown, long-time curator of the Bayou Bend Collection, died on Sunday of organ failure, ten days after undergoing a heart transplant. His brothers are organizing services in his hometown in upstate New York and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will hold a memorial in October.

Brown joined the curatorial team at Bayou Bend, the MFAH’s house museum for American decorative arts and painting, in 1980. He received his M.A. from the University of Delaware in the Wintherthur Program in Early American Culture. MFAH Director Gary Tinterow expressed: “Michael was an exemplary curator, known for his passion and keen connoisseurship, and a remarkable individual whose grace and gentility touched everyone he encountered.”

6 comments

You may also like

6 comments

Jill Fenichell September 10, 2013 - 17:40

This is just tragic. Michael was not only a brilliant scholar but generous with his knowledge and time. I’ll miss seeing him terribly at next month’s American Ceramic Circle meeting in Houston.

Reply
William McDugald September 10, 2013 - 18:08

Michael, good friend, you will be missed greatly.

Reply
Alexandra Kirtley September 11, 2013 - 22:55

Compassionate. Genuine. Astute. And that infectious laugh. I will miss Michael tremendously

Reply
Tony Carroll & Bruce Smith September 12, 2013 - 11:04

Michael and Bart are dear friends. Michael was a brilliant and generous man with incredible knowledge and a kind, loving heart. We will miss him terribly.

Reply
Buzz Bellmont September 12, 2013 - 17:56

Glad we got to walk the road together for awhile. You were a gift to me and to so many. Much love. We will all cherish you forever…

Reply
David K Johnson September 12, 2013 - 21:38

I am deeply saddened by Michael’s untimely death. He was a gentle man, a gentleman, a scholar, and a hoot. His Duncan Phyfe exhibition and catalog were genius. He’ll be greatly missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with Bart.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Funding generously provided by: