The Art of William Bruce

Artist William Bruce (1861-1911) lived and worked in Auburn his entire life, becoming one of the city’s most well known and respected artists.

His early training included periods of studying in New York City and Europe, and he was mentored by George Clough and William Henry Yates, two of Cayuga County’s most notable 19th century artists. 

While Bruce was best known for his paintings of dogs, he specialized in landscapes and portrait paintings early in his career.

His landscapes are in the style of the Hudson River School, with Cayuga County providing a picturesque backdrop.

We recently rediscovered this portrait by Bruce in an inventory of our painting collection. It depicts John G. Hosmer, clerk for the Cayuga County Board of Supervisors. Bruce painted the portrait after Hosmer’s death in 1906, and it was hung in the Supervisor’s room.

Many of William Bruce’s paintings were published in calendars around the turn of the 20th century.

The subject matter was almost always dogs, but he preferred English Setters, and painted them often.