Frederick Henry Brigden, OSA, RCA, CSPW (1871-1956)
Born in London, England, he arrived in Canada with his parents when he was eight months old. They settled in Toronto where his father went into partnership with the Beale Brothers to create the Toronto Engraving Company. Showing a special talent as a boy he received encouragement from his father. His first outdoor sketch of the Winchester Street Bridge in Toronto displayed his remarkable maturity at the age of twelve. His father allowed him to study at the Toronto Art Students’ League under William Cruikshank and G.A. Reid. At 15 he worked part time at his father’s firm.
His work appeared in the Canadian and the Farmer’s Advocate, (Lond., Ont.) where it was reported that he made very fine engravings of cattle. Weekends and evenings during the summer, between 1894 and 1906, he went painting with C.M. Manly making many trips to eastern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Brigden painted traditional English watercolour subjects.
Brigden was a very distinguished Canadian painter, draftsman, graphic artist, illustrator, commercial engraver, businessman and leader in the Toronto, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba art communities.
