Bernard C. Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist (1935 - 1989)
Bernard Harmon, Self Portrait, circa 1960, oil on canvas, 47 x 28 1/2 inches
Bernard Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
Bernard C. Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist (1935 - 1989)
Bernard Harmon, Modern Man, oil on canvas, 40 x 36 3/8 inches
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
Bernard Harmon (left) and Peter Paone in 1953. The two men knew each other from their high school years into art school which both attended at the same time.
Peter Paone (left) and Bernard Harmon in 1953.
Bernard Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
Bernard C. Harmon (1935 - 1989) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although little is known about his childhood years, we know he was an aspiring artist as a teenager, he studied at the Philadelphia Museum School (BFA), the Tyler School of Art, Temple University (MFA), and he ater travelled extensively throughout Europe and South America. Harmon was primarily a gifted portrait painter and a well loved teacher in the Philadelphia area, he taught in the Philadelphia School District for 32 of his 54 years of life. Beginning his career as an art teacher at West Philadelphia High School, he became one of the district’s artists in residence in the early 1960’s, travelling between schools, teaching and demonstrating the intricacies of becoming an artist to the younger generation. Returning to the classroom, Harmon joined the art department at Central High School, where he taught for 14 more years, becoming an innovator of important art curricula and developing special programs offering advanced placement art classes to gifted students. He was dedicated to teaching children how to enrich their lives through the arts.In his final years, Harmon became a supervisor, mentoring teachers and overseeing programs in the Philadelphia School system, Distict #1. During his short life, Harmon also taught college preparatory art classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, summer classes at the University of the Arts, and a Saturday program for gifted children at Drexel University. Among Harmon’s better known portraits were commissions by Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy Smith and one purchased by Mayor Richardson Dilworth. Harmon’s work is held in private and museum collections throughout the nation. Bernard Harmon was active in promoting African American artists throughout his lifetime. He exhibited locally and organized many early shows such as the “Afro American Artists 1800 - 1969” exhibition at the Museum of the Philadelphia Civic Center in 1969. He was considered a Renaissance man by friends and colleagues for his interests not only in art, but music, dance and theater as well. He was familiar and friends with many of his contemporaries, such as Doc Thrash, Selma Burke, Paul Keene Jr., Allen Freelon, and Charles Searles. One of his most influential friends was the African American painter Charles White, whom he admired and trusted through close friendship. Charles W. White was an American painter known for his chronicling of African American related subjects in paintings, drawings, and murals. Harmon’s own work reflects the love and respect he held for his subjects, he painted expressive portraits of everyday people, colleagues, students, and friends as their authentic and true selves, bold and honest. His work has a loose expressionist style that can be related to the work of Alice Neel. Incidentally, his portrait Girl in Blue is in permanent collection hanging nearby Alice Neel’s Swedish Girls at the Columbus Museum in Georgia.
Bernard Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
Bernard Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
Bernard Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
RESTING
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 24 X 32 inches Signed “B. Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
YOUNG MAN
Bernard Harmon Oil on canvas 26 X 36 inches Signed “Harmon” L/R
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
STRIPED DRESS AND BOY Bernard Harmon Oil on board 41 3/4 X 35 3/4 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
UPRIGHT BASS
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 40 X 34 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
GIRL WITH EARRINGS Bernard Harmon Oil on board 40 X 34 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
STARS AND STRIPES Bernard Harmon Oil on board 41 3/4 X 35 3/4 inches Signed “B Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
PATTERN SKIRT
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 39 1/2 X 36 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
GIRL WITH RIBBON
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 40 X 35 3/4 inches Signed “Bernard Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
JAZZ
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 34 X 40 inches Signed “Bernard Harmon 4/68” lower right
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
DRUMS
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 34 X 40 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
GIRL THINKING
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 39 3/4 X 30 inches Signed “B Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
PATTERNS AND STRIPES Bernard Harmon Oil on board 40 X 34 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
PATTERNS AND SHAPES Bernard Harmon Oil on board 30 X 46 inches Signed “Bernard Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
SELF PORTRAIT Bernard Harmon Oil on canvas 47 X 28.5 inches
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
THE POTTER
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 24 1/4 X 14 inches Signed “Harmon” lower left
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
SNAP PEAS
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 48 X 35 3/4 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
TWO GIRLS IN SCHOOL Bernard Harmon Oil on board 36 X 40 1/4 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
NOT SPEAKING
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 36 X 40 inches Signed “Bernard Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
SNAP PEAS
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 24 X 36 inches Signed “Harmon” lower left
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
GIRL WITH KNEE SOCKS Bernard Harmon Oil on board 34 X 40 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
NEW HAT
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 20 X 16 inches Signed “Harmon” lower right
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
MODERN MAN
Bernard Harmon Oil on canvas 40 X 36 inches Signed “Bernard Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
BOY WAITING
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 41 3/4 X 35 3/4 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
SCHOOL GIRL
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 41.75 X 35.75 inches Signed “Bernard Harmon 4/68” lower center
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
CHILD RESTING IN CHAIR Bernard Harmon Oil on board 41 X 35 3/4 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
GIRL AT DESK
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 40 X 36 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
RED STILL LIFE Bernard Harmon Oil on board 28 X 24 inches
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Painter
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
FASHION GIRL
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 40 X 34 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Portraits
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
THREE O’CLOCK
Bernard Harmon Oil on board 28 X 32 inches Signed “B Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Painter
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
GREEN LANDSCAPE Bernard Harmon Oil on canvas 18 X 24 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Painter
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
WHITE ON WHITE BLUE Bernard Harmon Oil on canvas 20 X 16 inches Signed “B Harmon” lower right
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Painter
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
RED STILL LIFE WITH VASE Bernard Harmon Oil on board 16 X 11 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Painter
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
GREY STILL LIFE Bernard Harmon Oil on board 24 1/4 X 28 1/4 inches
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Painter
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
RED, ORANGE, GREEN WITH PLANT Bernard Harmon Oil on board 30 1/2 X 39 inches Signed “Harmon” on verso
Bernard Harmon Expressionist Painter
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com
Bernard Harmon Philadelphia Expressionist
5230 Silo Hill Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 / Tel: 215.348.2500 www.gratzgallery.com / email: pgratz@gratzgallery.com