Fidelia Bridges was an American artist born on May 19, 1834, in Salem, Massachusetts, and passed away on May 14, 1923, in Canaan, Connecticut. She emerged as a prominent figure in the late 19th-century American art scene, known for her delicately detailed paintings that captured the essence of flowers, plants, and birds in their natural settings. Despite beginning her artistic journey as an oil painter, Bridges later gained a reputation as an expert in watercolor painting, becoming the only woman among a group of seven artists in the early years of the American Watercolor Society. Bridges was born into a family with maritime connections; her father, Henry Gardiner Bridges, was a sea captain. Tragedy struck early in her life when she was orphaned at the age of fifteen after her parents died within months of each other. Her father fell ill and died in Portuguese Macau in December 1849, and her mother passed away in March 1850, just three hours before the news of her husband's death arrived in Salem. The couple left behind four children, including Fidelia, who were then taken care of by their older sister Eliza, a schoolteacher. During her convalescence from an illness, Bridges took up drawing, which marked the beginning of her lifelong passion for art. She became friends with the artist and art school owner Anne Whitney, who played a significant role in her early artistic development. With financial assistance from the Browns, a family for whom she worked as a live-in mother's helper, Bridges studied art in Rome, Italy, for a year. This period was crucial for her artistic growth, as American artists at the time had to travel to Europe to study great works of art due to the lack of public collections in the United States. Upon returning to the United States in 1868, Bridges exhibited her renditions of flowers and birds at the National Academy of Design, where she was elected as an associate in 1873. Her reputation as a specialist painter of nature gained her membership in the American Watercolor Society in 1874, where she was the only female member at that time. Bridges' work was published as illustrations in books and magazines and on greeting cards, further enhancing her reputation. Bridges' early life was marked by significant challenges, including the loss of her parents and a period of illness that led her to discover her passion for drawing. Despite these hardships, she found solace and inspiration in the natural world, which became the central theme of her artwork. Her detailed scenes of flowers and birds, often painted in watercolor, reflect her deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. Throughout her career, Bridges remained relatively private, preferring to sell her work to a small circle of patrons rather than seeking widespread public recognition. This approach, coupled with her lack of interest in exhibiting her art, meant that she did not achieve the stature of some of her contemporaries. However, her contributions to the American art scene, particularly in the realm of watercolor painting, have left a lasting legacy. Bridges spent the latter part of her life in Canaan, Connecticut, where she continued to paint but rarely exhibited her work. She lived a quiet rural life, frequently socializing with a circle of female friends. Despite her withdrawal from the public eye, Bridges' work continued to be celebrated posthumously, with exhibitions of her work occurring at prestigious institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. Today, Fidelia Bridges is remembered as one of the few nineteenth-century American women to enjoy a successful career as an artist. Her careful depictions of flowers and birds, many of which were reproduced and distributed widely, have ensured her place in the history of American art. Her legacy is also preserved through the Fidelia Bridges Guest Home in Salem, Massachusetts, and a bird sanctuary named in her honor in Canaan, Connecticut, reflecting the profound impact she had on both the art world and the communities she was part of.

Fidelia Bridges Quotes and Sales of Works

Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current market values.

If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the artist, contact us immediately.

If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the works:

Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back, and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work and any kind of available documentation (purchase receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme professionalism.

If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us and let us know your request. We will inform you about the available works. We also offer the possibility to subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be informed at the beginning of each month about the latest acquisitions of the art gallery.

You can send us pictures of the work:

• by mail –>  [email protected]
• by WhatsApp –> +39 3205747749