William Baptiste Baird (1847-1917) Active/Lived: Chicago, France, Switzerland

Vera Cruz, Mexico
Signed (l.r.): Baird
Oil on canvas
9 ½” x 13”, 15” x 18 ½” (frame)
Over-all in fine condition, minor in painting.
Provenance: Private Collection, Bedford, New Hampshire.
Exhibited: Museum de Marinha, Lisbon, Portugal 2006-2009.
Born in Chicago, William Baptiste Baird moved to France as an adult to study under Adolph Yvan, exhibiting at the Paris Salon, (later the Salon des Artistes Francais) from 1872-1899. He was a member of the National Academy of Design, exhibiting there from 1875-1879, and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1878, 1882, and 1883.
This harbor scene depicts the location where, 50 years earlier, the main battle of the Mexican American War was fought. It was lent to the State Department for an exhibition in Lisbon, Portugal from 2006-2009 celebrating the History of the United States.