Arts column: Homegrown painter recorded turn of the century

Bessie Gray was one of only a handful of painters of the homegrown variety at the turn of the last century. Her work exhibits her natural talent and aptitude for watercolour and in Bermuda Cottage there is almost a hint of the master himself Winslow Homer who was on the island at the time.  Whether she would have met him or not is sheer speculation. 

However, it is cherishing to think she may have witnessed the great master at work. Most of Bessie Gray’s work is found here on the island, this work in pristine condition was retrieved and returned to Bermuda in 1987 in advance of the birth of Masterworks Heritage Fund as it was called then.

As prolific as Bessie Gray was this charming work is a gem.  The open half of the top door is a welcome into a settler’s cottage, many of the cottages typically having the front door next to the fireplace.  The play of light and shadow with cumulus clouds rising up over the hill, the pathway worn over time leading to the front door it’s all beautifully balanced.

It seems at the time of Bessie Gray’s painting activity her fellow painters were also female. Thus far painting as far as the writer can find painting for the local was not considered a manly thing. So thank heaven the women whose urge it was to record early
Bermuda. 

Tom Butterfield is founder and director of Masterworks.