Fidelia Bridges

Fidelia Bridges (May 19, 1834 – May 14, 1923) was an American artist of the late 19th century. She was known for delicately detailed paintings that captured flowers, plants, and birds in their natural settings. Although she began as an oil painter, she later gained a reputation as an expert in watercolor painting. She was the only woman among a group of seven artists in the early years of the American Watercolor Society. Her watercolor paintings of nature scenes were displayed in homes across the country, published as illustrations in books and magazines and on greeting cards. Bridges created a successful business from what was usually a hobby.

Early life Fidelia Bridges, May one of a series of twelve color print illustrations, 1876, collection of the Boston Public Library. Fidelia Bridges was born in Salem, Massachusetts, to Henry Gardiner Bridges (1789–1849), a sea captain,

The couple left four children, Eliza, Elizabeth, Fidelia, and Henry. They then lived at 100 Essex Street, now known as the Fidelia Bridges Guest House, but moved to a more affordable home on the same street after their parents' death.

Through Richards, Bridges met museum curators and patrons of the arts,

Bridges was considered a specialist in her field and focused on the beauty and serenity of small details in nature.

She was elected as a National Academy of Design associate in 1873 and one year later became the only woman of seven artists in the American Society of Painters in Watercolor (now the American Watercolor Society). This success eventually led to a job as a designer for Prang's firm. For this job Bridges designed Christmas cards and she kept the job until 1899.

After her extended visit to England, Bridges returned to the Brown's home, where she continued to work and live much of the time. She spent a year working as a governess to Mark Twain's three daughters starting in 1883; Twain was also a collector of her work. Her illustrations of birds were published in an 1888 book of poems, What the Poets Sing of Them and the book Favorite Birds.

Personal life

Bridges never married, but had good friends and relationships throughout her life. |group="nb" She led a quiet life, and occasionally traveled to Europe and New York. She continued to exhibit her works, including the American Society of Painters, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the National Academy of Design.

Bridges died following a stroke just a few days before turning 89, on May 14, 1923, in Canaan. A service was held for Bridges in her home on May 16, 1923. Another work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and her painting of the Benning Wentworth House is in the Strawbery Banke museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Gallery