Fidelia Bridges: Nature into Art

Fidelia Bridges was an American artist who painted pictures that critics praised for their ability to exude the fragrance of field flowers and glow with the plumage of birds. She transformed flower painting from a domestic outlet for female amateurs to a marketable commodity for professionals and combined plants with local birds to convey a sophisticated understanding of their environmental interaction. She made an extended European tour in the 1860s and regular trips to Great Britain in later years but preferred home nature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2023
Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd

Fidelia Bridges (1834-1923) was a renowned artist known for her exceptional ability to capture the essence of field flowers and the vibrant plumage of birds in her paintings. Hailing from Salem and residing in Connecticut for most of her life, Bridges maintained a studio in New York City, where she exhibited her art for over forty years at prestigious venues such as the National Academy, American Watercolor Society, and others. Through her artistic endeavors, Bridges transformed the perception of flower painting from a domestic pursuit for female amateurs to a marketable commodity for professionals. She firmly believed in women's right to pursue independent careers on their terms, and her artwork reflected this conviction. With an unmatched intensity of focus, Bridges meticulously depicted both cultivated flowers and clusters of weeds, showcasing her exceptional skill as an artist. She often combined plants with local birds to convey a sophisticated understanding of their environmental interactions, inspiring others to appreciate and conserve nature.

While Bridges undertook an extended European tour in the 1860s and made regular trips to Great Britain in later years, she found her true solace in the natural beauty of her home surroundings. She embraced the bicycle as a vehicle of female liberation and later the automobile, using these modes of transportation to explore and experience the world on her terms. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Bridges was also an accomplished horticulturalist, cultivating her garden with the skill and passion of a true gardener. Her love for nature was evident in the meticulous care she took in nurturing her plants and creating a serene and picturesque landscape.

Beyond her artistic achievements, Bridges left a lasting pictorial legacy that can be found in US public museums and private collections nationwide. Her paintings continue to inspire and captivate audiences with their exquisite detail, vibrant colors, and profound sense of nature. Fidelia Bridges' life and work serve as a testament to the power of women artists and their ability to shape the cultural landscape of their time.

Dimension: 250 x 190 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848225480