Frederick Arthur Bridgman Figurative Paintings
American, 1847-1928
Frederick Arthur Bridgman (November 10, 1847 – January 13, 1928) was an American artist known for his paintings of "Orientalist" subjects.
Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, Bridgman was the son of a physician. After his father died in 1850, his mother moved to New York City with her two sons. Bridgman began working as a draughtsman for the American Bank Note Company in 1864–65, and studied art in the same years at the Brooklyn Art Association and at the National Academy of Design. He exhibited his paintings at the Brooklyn Art Association, and encouraged by his success, he gave up his job in 1866 and moved to France with the sponsorship of a group of Brooklyn businessmen.
Bridgman's first destination in France was Pont-Aven in the Brittany region, where he stayed with a group of American artists, among them Robert Wylie. In the autumn of 1866, he went to Paris and entered the studio of the noted academic painter Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824–1904), where he was deeply influenced by Gérôme's precise draftsmanship, smooth finishes, and concern for Middle-Eastern themes. While studying in the atelier of Gérôme, he became acquainted with his fellow students Harry Humphrey Moore and Thomas Eakins and also first came in contact with Orientalism. Bridgman's first exhibition in Paris took place at the Salon de Paris in 1870, and his painting A Provincial Circus was received very positively. It was then sent to New York and exhibited at the Brooklyn Art Association.
Bridgman was forced to leave Paris in the early 1870s. He then made his first trips to North Africa between 1872 and 1874, dividing his time between Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt. Arriving in Cairo in December 1873, they worked in the city producing numerous sketches of the Islamic monuments, but also the street life, which was Bridgman's main inspiration. They travelled along the Nile, reaching Abu Simbel in the south of Egypt. During his trips, Bridgman executed approximately three hundred sketches, which became the source material for several later oil paintings that attracted immediate attention. Bridgman became known as "the American Gérôme", although Bridgman would later adopt a more naturalistic aesthetic, emphasizing bright colors and painterly brushwork.
His large and important composition, Funeral of a Mummy on the Nile (1876–77; Speed Art Museum, Louisville), exhibited at the Salon de Paris in 1877 and at the 1878 Paris Exposition, bought by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., established his success as an artist and brought him the Cross of the Legion of Honor. The painting was later purchased by the famous American collector Wendell Cherry who donated it to the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky in 1990.
In 1881, Bridgman exhibited over 300 of his works in a personal exhibition in New York. His work was highly praised for the variety of subjects and the fine quality of execution. Following this success, Bridgman was elected a member of the National Academy of Design, after already being an associate member since 1874.to
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Artist: Frederick Arthur Bridgman
Large American Orientalist Oil Painting of a Courtyard by F. A. Bridgman
By Frederick Arthur Bridgman
Located in London, GB
Large American Orientalist oil painting of a courtyard by F. A. Bridgman
American, c. 1900
Canvas: Height 69cm, width 91cm
Frame: Height 95cm, width 108cm, depth 8.5cm
Wonderfully p...
Category
Early 19th Century Frederick Arthur Bridgman Figurative Paintings
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Sur le Bosphone, On the Bosphorus, Orientalist Beautiful Girl in Boat
By Frederick Arthur Bridgman
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The key to this painting's charm is that the subject is a beautiful young woman who is showing her face. We see her with her charming smile. She lounges comfortably in a carpeted bo...
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1980s Impressionist Frederick Arthur Bridgman Figurative Paintings
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Sur le Bosphone, On the Bosphorus, Orientalist Beautiful Girl in Boat
By Frederick Arthur Bridgman
Located in Miami, FL
The key to this painting's charm is that the subject is a beautiful young woman who is showing her face. She lounges comfortably in a carpeted boat with a lute by her side, running...
Category
1980s Impressionist Frederick Arthur Bridgman Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
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Frederick Bridgman started out in 1863 as an engraver for the American Banknote Company and went on to produce steel engravings. He went to Paris in 1866 and worked in Gérome's studio at the École des Beaux-Arts. He spent time in Brittany at Pont-Aven until 1871, before going to North Africa and Egypt in 1872 and remaining there for five years. He took part regularly in the Paris Salons, notably the Salon des Artistes Français and the Salon of the Société Coloniale des Artistes Français. He also exhibited in London at the Royal Academy and the Suffolk Street Gallery. Bridgman exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1878, 1889 and 1900, receiving a silver medal at each of the exhibitions. He was decorated with the Légion d'Honneur in 1878 and was made Officier in 1907. He became a member of the National Academy, New York, in 1881, and of the Société des Artistes Peintres, Paris.
Bridgman's travels in North Africa and Egypt brought about a radical change in his palette, which became much paler. He was also a photographer and often worked from his photographs when painting, depicting a world of richly adorned women in veils and using transparent effects and white on white. As well as his scenes of everyday life, Bridgman also painted historical subjects from Ancient Egypt and Assyria, such as Pharaoh Crossing the Red Sea...
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Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Oil on canvas. Signed centre lower right. This painting is not currently framed but a suitable frame can be sourced if required.
Frederick Bridgman started out in 1863 as an engraver for the American Banknote Company and went on to produce steel engravings. He went to Paris in 1866 and worked in Gérome's studio at the École des Beaux-Arts. He spent time in Brittany at Pont-Aven until 1871, before going to North Africa and Egypt in 1872 and remaining there for five years. He took part regularly in the Paris Salons, notably the Salon des Artistes Français and the Salon of the Société Coloniale des Artistes Français. He also exhibited in London at the Royal Academy and the Suffolk Street Gallery. Bridgman exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1878, 1889 and 1900, receiving a silver medal at each of the exhibitions. He was decorated with the Légion d'Honneur in 1878 and was made Officier in 1907. He became a member of the National Academy, New York, in 1881, and of the Société des Artistes Peintres, Paris.
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Frederick Arthur Bridgman figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Frederick Arthur Bridgman figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Frederick Arthur Bridgman in oil paint, paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1980s and is mostly associated with the Impressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Frederick Arthur Bridgman figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 19 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Martha Walter, G. Harvey, and Patricia Gillfillan. Frederick Arthur Bridgman figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $210,000 and tops out at $210,000, while the average work can sell for $210,000.