Artist Biography

Hiram BLOOMER
1845 - 1911

Hiram Reynolds Bloomer was born in New York on December 19, 1845. He came to California with his family in 1852 and settled in San Francisco. Having decided upon an art career, he became a pupil of Virgil Williams, Thomas Hill, and Stephen Shaw from 1868-73. The years 1874-79 were spent in Paris where he took over Whistler’s old studio while studying with Duran and Pelouse. While there, his Old Bridge at Grez was purchased by the French government. The years 1879-90 were spent in England. Upon returning to the United States, he attended the National Academy of Design for two years. In 1892 he returned to San Francisco and resumed his residence and studio at 506 Battery Street. Early in his career he concentrated on portraiture, but after returning from Europe, he turned his attention to the local landscape. His works done after this time show the influence of the Barbizon painters. As he painted, he was constantly jabbering, humming, or singing which prompted one of his friends to remark, "Let's go down to his studio and hear Bloomer paint." About the turn of the century he moved across the Golden Gate to Sausalito where he spent his remaining years. His life came to a tragic close on June 3, 1911 after being run down by a cable car in San Francisco. Exhibited: Centennial Exposition (Philadelphia), 1876; Paris Salon and Expo Universelle, 1878; Royal Academy (London), 1879-90; Bohemian Club, 1897-1911; Mark Hopkins Institute, 1903, 1906; San Francisco Art Ass'n, 1904; Del Monte Art Gallery (Monterey), 1907-09. Works held: California Historical Society (portrait of Edward Bosqui); Oakland Museum; Society of California Pioneers.

Return to artwork page.