Heine & Brown are best known for their work as a part of Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan (1852-1854). They were enlisted to document the events of the mission through their artwork. Brown was an American daguerreotypist, lithographer, and artist. Heine was a German-American artist. Photographic technology was very limited at this time. The artwork of Heine & Brown was the first opportunity for many Americans to see the beauty of Asia.
