Alfred Birdsey (1912 - 1996) "Bermuda, 1974". Mixed media/canvas. Signed lower right. Titled and dated verso. Sight size: 7.5 x 9.5 inches. Alfred Birdsey stood alone for most of the second half of the 20th century as the only modernist painter working in Bermuda. Entirely self-taught, it is believed he started painting in 1927 at the age of 16. Of him in a 2012 tourist guide, Elbow Beach Cycles, it is written: "The paintings of Alfred Birdsey played an important part in changing the way Bermuda was seen abroad and became regular additions to many collections around the world. Alfred Birdsey is most known for his impressionistic representations of the island landscapes, harbours, boats, backstreets, seascapes, homes and bays. Some of the paintings also have an Asian influence."