Birthday Flowers for Jonathan
Denise >
I found this on online, on an auction site. It’s in oils, on canvas. The auction was on on J’s birthday, and I was the only bidder. I thought he would like it because the artist is his great aunt, Edna Doris Bridge. Flowers on her birthday, for his!
Jonathan >
What a lovely birthday present! It’s a very pleasing co-incidence, too.
According to Doris’s distinctive handwriting on the reverse, the title of the painting is ‘Birthday Flowers’.
Birthday Flowers – Edna D Bridge – 1947
Whilst there are other possible scenarios, we think it likely that these are the flowers she received on her own birthday. She never married, so perhaps they were from an admirer? What about the cryptic I Q on the label?
The label also reveals that, after WW2, she lived in St Alban’s, Hertfordshire. That’s something we didn’t previously know.
![Birthday Flowers - Edna D Bridge - 1947 [Reverse]](https://i0.wp.com/biggarden.scot/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Birthday-Flowers-Edna-D-Bridge-1947-Reverse-e1594561279340-1000x498.jpg?resize=1000%2C498&ssl=1)
Birthday Flowers – Edna D Bridge – 1947 [Reverse]
It’s likely been hung above an open fire for many years, or in a house of smokers, because it would certainly benefit from a professional clean – though that’s not something we’ll rush into.
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What a crazy coincidence!
What a fabulous story! What tales this picture must hold – of your aunt, the mysterious I Q, where it has been all these years. Some coincidences just have that sense of destiny about them – clearly it was meant to return to you. Happy Birthday Jonathan!
Lovely picture and holy cats what a story! Happy birthday, Jonathan.
J > ☺️
That is a lovely picture and the fact that it is by a relative is a heartwarmng coincidence – well spotted Denise, and happy birthday Jonathan!
J >
Wow, what a find. The year of my birth. Family paintings are a treasure.
How wonderful to own a piece of family history as well as a lovely piece of art too. Well found, Denise!