Frederick Arthur Bridgman Painting Reproductions Gallery 1 of 5

Frederick Arthur Bridgman (1847-1928) was an American artist best known for his Orientalist paintings, which depicted scenes and figures from North Africa, the Middle East, and other parts of the Islamic world.

Bridgman was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and showed an early aptitude for drawing and painting. He studied at the Brooklyn Art School and the National Academy of Design in New York, and later traveled to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and with the noted Orientalist painter Jean-Léon Gérôme.

Bridgman's work was heavily influenced by Gérôme's style and subject matter, and he became known for his highly detailed and exotic depictions of Middle Eastern life. He made numerous trips to North Africa and the Middle East to gather inspiration and study the local culture and customs, and his paintings often featured elaborate costumes, architecture, and decorative objects.

In addition to his Orientalist paintings, Bridgman also painted landscapes, portraits, and historical scenes, and was a successful illustrator and designer. He exhibited widely throughout his career and received numerous awards and honors, including membership in the National Academy of Design and the Legion of Honor from the French government.

Today, Bridgman's work is held in many public and private collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Musée d'Orsay.