She Painted the Art in Nature Fidelia Bridges was one of the most renowned artists of her time and one of the very few women artists who supported herself with her work. She was known for her delicately detailed nature paintings, which were published in books and magazines. Her paintings convey the joy she felt in birds and flowers. Image: Fidelia Bridges Dressed for a painting excursion c. 1864 She wore black in the winter, gray linen in the summer. Note the shorter dress with pants underneath. This style of dress is called the Bloomer costume, named for its designer, feminist Amelia Bloomer. Early Years Fidelia Bridges was born May 19, 1834, the daughter of sea captain Henry Gardiner Bridges…
