Flowers (Primary Title)
Patrick Henry Bruce, American, 1881 - 1936 (Artist)
Born in Cumberland County, Virginia, Bruce began studies at the Richmond Art Club in 1898 before moving to New York in 1902. Settling in Paris shortly thereafter, he entered the celebrated circle of Leo and Gertrude Stein and became one of the earliest American modernists. Although a student of Henri Matisse, Bruce reveals a stylistic devotion to Paul Cézanne. The deconstruction of form into geometric planes anticipates the mature cubist style for which he is best known. Flowers numbered among Bruce’s favorite paintings and hung in his home until after his death. It also speaks to the art and passion of fellow Virginian Louise Cochrane. In 1988, Louise and her husband Harwood established a landmark fund for the development of the American art collection at VMFA, providing the resources to acquire seminal paintings by American masters. Flowers was purchased in memory of Louise Cochrane and her penchant for floral still lifes. She died on the eve of her centenary birthday in December 2015.
"Fleurs, 1880-2010", Benrimon Contemporary, New York, May 6 to June 5, 2010 (no. 11)
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