George Brandt Bridgman Paintings

George Brandt Bridgman was an influential Canadian-American teacher, author, and artist known for his contributions to the field of figure drawing and anatomy for artists. Born on June 10, 1865, in the United Province of Canada, Bridgman would go on to become one of the most revered instructors of life drawing in the early 20th century.

Bridgman studied art at the Art Students League of New York and later in Paris under Jean-Léon Gérôme at the École des Beaux-Arts. He was deeply influenced by the academic approach to drawing and sculpture, which emphasized a deep knowledge of human anatomy as the foundation for creating realistic figures. Bridgman's understanding of human form and movement was also influenced by his study of the sculptures of antiquity and the Renaissance.

After returning to the United States, Bridgman began a long and distinguished career as an instructor at the Art Students League of New York, where he taught for 45 years from 1898 until his death in 1943. Among his students were some of the most prominent American artists of the time, including Norman Rockwell, Will Eisner, and Jackson Pollock. Bridgman's teaching methods focused on the construction of the human figure from simple forms and the dynamic expression of movement, which he often compared to the segmented parts of machinery—a revolutionary approach at the time.

Bridgman authored several books on drawing and anatomy that have become standard references for artists studying the human form. His most famous works include 'The Book of a Hundred Hands,' 'Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing from Life,' and 'Constructive Anatomy.' These books compiled his extensive lectures and demonstrations, featuring a plethora of drawings that showcased his method of breaking down the body into geometric shapes and forms to better understand and render its complexity.

George Bridgman's legacy is not only in the countless students he taught but also in the continued use of his instructional books by artists worldwide. His approach to anatomy and figure drawing remains integral to the education of artists, and his teachings continue to influence the discipline of figure drawing to this day. Bridgman passed away on November 16, 1943, in New York City, leaving behind a body of work that has cemented his place in the history of art education.