Bruce Porter

American, 1948

Born in San Francisco, CA on Feb. 23, 1865. Porter grew up in Martinez where his father was the editor of the local newspaper. He was educated in San Francisco, Paris, London, and Venice. A multi-talented artist, he was equally adept in several art media. His paintings are rare and have the tonal qualities of those by Gottardo Piazzoni. He signed his paintings with the block letters "B.P." As a writer, he wrote poems and art criticisms which appeared in local newspapers, was a cofounder (with Gelett Burgess) of The Lark magazine, and was editor and essayist of Art In California (1916). Most of his career was centered around San Francisco; however, he also lived in Pacific Grove (1896), the coast at Big Sur (1914), and Santa Barbara (1928). Charismatic, Porter was a profound influence on his close friend, the novelist Frank Norris; the Arthur Putnams named their daughter Bruce in his honor. In 1917 he wed Margaret Mary James, daughter of Wm James of Harvard and niece of author Henry James. The wealth generated from these two estates allowed the Porters to live in luxury. Porter died in San Francisco at his home at 3234 Pacific Avenue on Nov. 25, 1953.

Courtesy askART