Lot Essay
In the late 1890s Bridgman began a series of paintings depicting generic classical themes as a vehicle to depict young beauties in classical garb in sylvan settings. According to Ilene Susan Fort, "these paintings reflect the fin-de-siecle fascination with the sensual, languid woman.
Un bois secret won a gold medal when his was exhibited in 1900. At the time it was painted, Bridgman has been exhibiting at the Salon since 1871. He had first gone to Paris in 1866 as a student of Gérôme. In 1878 the French Government recognized his contributions to their culture by making his a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, and in 1907 the made him an officer. He enjoyed equal recognition in his homeland, America, where he was a member of the National Academy of New York and the Société des Artistes Peintre de Paris. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy. As confirmation of his international stature towards the end of his life, Bridgman won the gold medal in no less than three of the Expostion Universelles: 1878, 1889 and 1900.
We are grateful to Ilene Susan Fort for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.
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Un bois secret won a gold medal when his was exhibited in 1900. At the time it was painted, Bridgman has been exhibiting at the Salon since 1871. He had first gone to Paris in 1866 as a student of Gérôme. In 1878 the French Government recognized his contributions to their culture by making his a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, and in 1907 the made him an officer. He enjoyed equal recognition in his homeland, America, where he was a member of the National Academy of New York and the Société des Artistes Peintre de Paris. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy. As confirmation of his international stature towards the end of his life, Bridgman won the gold medal in no less than three of the Expostion Universelles: 1878, 1889 and 1900.
We are grateful to Ilene Susan Fort for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.
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