The document describes two paintings by American artist Mary Bridgman titled "Irtysh" and "Altai". The paintings depict horses from Scythian mythology and were inspired by Bridgman's travels to the Altai Mountains region. A brief biography of Bridgman is also provided, noting that she is a graduate of Connecticut College and Parsons School of Design who has traveled extensively and teaches at Parsons and Fashion Institute of Technology.

1. MARY BRIDGMAN
American Contemporary
SCYTHIAN HORSES
Irtysh, 2006
48” x 64” Altai, 2006
Oil on Linen 48” x 64”
Oil on Linen
Courtesy of
The Chisholm Gallery
3 Factory Lane
Pine Plains, NY 12567
Phone 518-398-1246
info@chisholmgallery.com

2. MARY BRIDGMAN
American Contemporary
SCYTHIAN HORSES
“…themselves always invincible and never subject to the Empire of others.”
William Camden
“Altai and Irtysh (Altai meaning “Mountains of Gold” and Irtysh meaning “The White
River”) were inspired by the Scythians and ancient legend buried in the fields and foothills
of the Altai Mountains.
From the land of Myth and Gold came the spirits of two horses adorned with golden
bridles and dressed in saddle clothes woven of rich silks and magical threads.
From the hands of an ancient nomadic people came these animals of great force and
vitality, the warrior’s ally in life and companion in the afterworld.
With them they carry not words, but language.
Indeed in this story there is nothing to be captured or to be held.
Only the landscape to be explored and the worlds therein.”
Mary Bridgman is a graduate of Connecticut College and the Parsons School of Design.
After graduating from Parsons the artist worked as a womenswear designer (most notably
as a member of the Ellen Tracy design team) while continuing her studies at the Art
Students League, The New York Academy of Art and the School of Visual Arts.
Over the years Bridgman has traveled extensively to the continents of Europe, Africa,
South and Central America, Australia, Indonesia and the Islands of the South Pacific
exploring different cultures and accumulating images. The artist’s unique form of
expression began to emerge after a trip to Kenya and Tanzania, and soon after to the Prado
in Madrid which houses Goya’s Black Paintings and Early renaissance icons.
Bridgman has been a member of the Collegiate Chorale and sang with the group in
performances at Carnegie Hall including Nabucco, La Giocanda, and Giovanna D’Arco.
She has also worked with the horses backstage at the Metropolitan Opera house for
performances of Carmen and Aida.
Bridgman is on the Faculty at the Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of
Technology and resides in Greenwich Village.
Courtesy of
The Chisholm Gallery
3 Factory Lane
Pine Plains, NY 12567
Phone 518-398-1246
info@chisholmgallery.com