This biography from the Archives of AskART:
| A decorative painter whose career began in England, George Bridport had
emigrated to the United States by 1808, and used his talents primarily
in Philadelphia but also spent time on architectural decoration on the
Capitol Building in Washington DC. Many decorative painters have
remained anonymous, but Bridport's name remains in the art history
books because he was strongly promoted by Philadelphia architect
Benjamin Latrobe, and his notes contain many references to Bridport.
George Bridport was born in London and was baptized at Saint Marylebone
Church in Middlesex on April 20, 1793. Little is known of his
early art training or career as he is not on the registry list of
public painters, glazers or architectural draftsmen, and he was not a
guild member. In 1806, he described himself as an architect when
he submitted a design for a decorative ceiling, and in 1807, he used a
trade card that listed his talents which included decorating drawing
rooms in many styles including French, Chinese, Gothic and Indian, and
also offered his services for house painting. The front of the
card gave his address as Cavendish Street in a fashionable area near
Saint Marylebone Church.
Arrriving in the United States about 1808, Bridport was urged by
Latrobe to join him in Washington DC. He did so, and received
much acclaim for the decorative work he did on the ceiling of the House
of Representatives. However, this work was destroyed in 1814, when the British burned the Capitol.
In 1809, he painted the
ceremonial oval drawing room of the President's house, and also
decorated a temporary Senate Chamber. Of Bridport's work, Latrobe
wrote to a banker who was considering Bridport for ceiling decoration
of his bank: "Mr. Bridport. . .knows exactly what ought to be
done. He understands his business well. He is a very
excellent artist, by profession, what is called, a decorative
Architect. . .he is besides a sober responsible man of business." (76)
The 1810 census lists Bridport, a "Decorator", living in Philadelphia
on Market and Tenth Streets, but three years later, he is listed as an
"Ornamental" painter. By 1816, he is running a drawing academy
with his brother, Hugh Bridport (1794-1870). The next year,
George Bridport advertises himself as a "decorative architect and
furnisher on the northwest corner of Seventh and Chestnut". He
stated that he "could supply everything from carpets to looking-glass
plates, and that his 'arrangements in Europe will enable him to offer
Goods of superior quality & fashion." (78)
In 1819, he left for Cuba and died the next year. Although he had
based himself in Philadelphia, like so many artists of that era, he was
itinerant and had clients whose homes he decorated in Baltimore,
Washington DC, Richmond Virginia and rural Maryland. Not only did
he do basic decoration, but he and his brother were respected engravers
who worked for silversmiths and architects, adapting designs to formal
watercolor and gouache paintings. Bridport was associated with
Gideon Fairman (1774-1827), an internationally respected engraver and
draftsman.
Source:
Eleanor H. Gustafson, Editor, "Collector's Notes", The Magazine Antiques, May 2006, pp. 76-80.
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