Frederic Bridgman (New York, France,1847 - 1928) Painting of two horses and a woman, "The meeting Place". With sailboats in the distance. Oil on canvas. Sight size: 14 x 18 inches. Signed lower left. In 1865 and 1866 Bridgman exhibited works at the Brooklyn Art Association. Encouraged by his success, and with the sponsorship of a group of Brooklyn businessmen, the young artist set out for Paris. In the autumn of 1866, he joined the atelier of Jean-Leon Gerome where he studied for 4 years, spending the summers in Pont-Avent. During the winters of 1872 and 1873, Bridgman traveled to Spain and North Africa, starting in Tangiers and traveling on to Algeria. He sampled the local nightlife and spent afternoons exploring the surrounding villages and oases on horseback. It was during this time that he began to paint North African scenes depicting the exotic culture in which he was immersed. Bridgeman remained in North Africa for the next five years, though he regularly took part in the Paris Salons, as well as exhibited in several London venues.