Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D Part 11

"I am jealous of Breslau. She does not draw at all like a woman."

"I am terrified when I think of the future that awaits Breslau; it fills me with wonder and sadness. In her compositions there is nothing womanish, commonplace, or disproportioned. She will attract attention at the Salon, for, in addition to her treatment of it, the subject itself will not be a common one."

The above prophecy has been generously fulfilled. Mlle. Breslau is indeed a poet in her ability to picture youth and its sweet intimacies, and she does this so easily. With a touch she reveals the grace of one and the affectations of another subject of her brush, and skilfully renders the varying emotions in the faces of her pictures. Pleasure and suffering, the fleeting thought of the child, the agitation of the young girl are all depicted with rare truthfulness.

BREWSTER, ADA AUGUSTA.

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BRICKDALE, MISS ELEANOR FORTESCUE.

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BRICCI OR BRIZIO, PLAUTILLA. Very little is known of this Roman artist of the seventeenth century, but that little marks her as an unusually gifted woman, since she was a practical architect and a painter of pictures. She was a.s.sociated with her brother in some architectural works in and near Rome, and was the only woman of her time in this profession.

She is believed to have erected a small palace near the Porta San Pancrazio, unaided by her brother, and is credited with having designed in the Church of San Luigi de' Francesi the third chapel on the left aisle, dedicated to St. Louis, and with having also painted the altar-piece in this chapel.

BRIDGES, FIDELIA. a.s.sociate of the National Academy of Design in 1878, when but three other women were thus honored. Born in Salem, Ma.s.sachusetts. Studied with W. T. Richards in Philadelphia, and later in Europe during one year. She exhibited her pictures from 1869 in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. Her subjects were landscapes and flowers. In 1871 she first painted in water-colors, which suited many of her pictures better than oils. She was elected a member of the Water-Color Society in 1875. To the Philadelphia Exposition, 1876, she sent a "Kingfisher and Catkins," a "Flock of Snow Birds," and the "Corner of a Rye-Field." Of the last a writer in the _Art Journal_ said: "Miss Bridges' 'Edge of a Rye-Field,' with a foreground of roses and weeds, is a close study, and shows that she is as happy in the handling of oil colors as in those mixed with water."

Another critic wrote: "Her works are like little lyric poems, and she dwells with loving touches on each of her buds, 'like blossoms atilt'

among the leaves."

Her pictures are in private collections, and are much valued by their owners.

BROOKS, MARIA.

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BROWNs...o...b.., JENNIE. Pupil of the National Academy and the Art Students' League, New York, and of Henry Mosler in Paris.

Paints genre subjects, among which are: "Love's Young Dream," "Colonial Minuet," "Sir Roger de Coverly at Carvel Hall," "Battle of Roses," etc.

The works of this artist have been reproduced in engravings and etchings, and are well known in black and white. Her water-colors, too, have been published in photogravure.

Miss Browns...o...b.. exhibits at many American exhibitions and has had her work accepted at the Royal Academy, London.

BROWNE, MATILDA. Honorable mention at Chicago, 1893; Dodge prize at National Academy of Design, 1899; Hallgarten prize, 1901. Born in Newark, New Jersey. Pupil of Miss Kate Greatorex; of Carleton Wiggins, New York; of the Julian Academy, Paris; of H. S. Birbing in Holland, and of Jules Dupre on the coast of France. When a child this artist lived very near Thomas Moran and was allowed to spend much time in his studio, where she learned the use of colors.

She exhibited her first picture at the National Academy of Design when twelve years old, and has been a constant contributor to its exhibitions since that time; also to the exhibitions of the American Water-Color Society.

Her earliest pictures were of flowers, and during several years she had no teacher. At length she decided to study battle painting, and, after a summer under Carleton Wiggins, she went abroad, in 1890, and remained two years, painting in the schools in winter and out of doors in summer. Miss Browne exhibited at the Salon des Beaux-Arts in 1890, and many of her works have been seen in exhibits in this country. The Dodge prize was awarded to a picture called "The Last Load," and the Hallgarten prize to "Repose," a moonlight scene with cattle. Her pictures are in private collections.

BROWN, MRS. AGNES--MRS. JOHN APPLETON BROWN. Born in Newburyport.

This artist paints in oils. Her subjects are landscapes, flowers, and still life. She has also painted cats successfully.

I have a winter landscape by Mrs. Brown which is unusually attractive and is often admired. She sends her works to the exhibitions of the Boston Art Club and to some exhibitions in New York.

BROWNE, MME. HENRIETTE. Born at Paris; 1829-1901. Pupil of Chaplin.

The family name of this artist was Bouteiller, and she married M. Jules de Saux, but as an artist used the name of an ancestress. Her pictures of genre subjects very early attracted attention, especially in 1855, when she sent to the Salon "A Brother of the Christian School," "School for the Poor at Aix," "Mutual Instruction," and "Rabbits." Her works were popular and brought good prices. In 1868 "The Sisters of Charity" sold for 1,320.

In 1878 she exhibited "A Grandmother" and "Convalescence." Her Oriental scenes were much admired. Among these were "A Court in Damascus," "Nubian Dancing Girls," and a "Harem in Constantinople." Mme. Browne was also skilful as an engraver.

T. Chasrel wrote in _L'Art_: "Her touch without over-minuteness has the delicacy and security of a fine work of the needle. The accent is just without that seeking for virile energy which too often spoils the most charming qualities. The sentiment is discreet without losing its intensity in order to attract public notice. The painting of Mme.

Henriette Browne is at an equal distance from grandeur and insipidity, from power and affectation, and gathers from the just balance of her nature some effects of taste and charm of which a parvenu in art would be incapable."

The late Rev. Charles Kingsley wrote of the picture of the "Sisters of Charity," of the sale of which I have spoken, as follows: "The picture which is the best modern instance of this happy hitting of this golden mean, whereby beauty and homely fact are perfectly combined, is in my eyes Henrietta Browne's picture of the 'Sick Child and the Sisters of Charity.' I know not how better to show that it is easy to be at once beautiful and true, if one only knows how, than by describing that picture. Criticise it, I dare not; for I believe that it will surely be ranked hereafter among the very highest works of modern art. If I find no fault in it, it is because I have none to find; because the first sight of the picture produced in me instantaneous content and confidence. There was nothing left to wish for, nothing to argue about. The thing was what it ought to be, and neither more nor less, and I could look on it, not as a critic, but as a learner only."

This is praise indeed from an Englishman writing of a Frenchwoman's picture--an Englishman with no temptation to say what he did not think; and we may accept his words as the exact expression of the effect the picture made on him.

BRUNE, MME. AIMeE PAGeS. Medal of second cla.s.s at Salon of 1831; first cla.s.s in 1841. Born in Paris. 1803-66. Pupil of Charles Meynier.

Painted historical and genre subjects. In 1831 she exhibited "Undine,"

the "Elopement," "Sleep," and "Awakening." In 1841 a picture of "Moses."

She painted several Bible scenes, among which were the "Daughter of Jairus" and "Jephthah's Daughter."

BUECHMANN, FRAU HELENE. Her pictures have been seen at some annual exhibitions in Germany, but she is best known by her portraits of celebrated persons. Born in Berlin, 1849. Pupil of Steff.e.c.k and Gussow.

Among her portraits are those of Princess Carolath-Beuthen, Countess Bruhl, Prince and Princess Biron von Kurland, and the youngest son of Prince Radziwill. She resides in Brussels.

BUTLER, MILDRED A. a.s.sociate of the Royal Society of Painters in Water-Colors and of the Society of Lady Artists. Pupil of Naftel, Calderon, and Garstin. Has exhibited at the Royal Academy and New Gallery. Her picture called the "Morning Bath," exhibited at the Academy in 1896, was purchased under the Chantry Bequest and is in the Tate Gallery. It is a water-color, valued at 50.

Miss Butler exhibited "A Corner of the Bargello, Florence," at the London Academy in 1903.

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