Bernard Harmon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1935. He was primarily a portrait painter and a well-loved teacher in the Philadelphia area. A graduate of the Philadelphia Museum School and Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, Harmon traveled extensively in Europe and South America.
Beloved by many, Harmon 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 in the early 1960s, he became one of the district's artists-in-residence, traveling from school to school to demonstrate for students how an artist works. Returning to the classroom, Harmon joined the art department at Central High School where he taught for 14 years and became an innovator in its art curriculum, developing a program offering advanced placement art classes to gifted students. In his final years Harmon became a supervisor, mentoring teachers and overseeing programs in the Philadelphia school system’s District #1.
During his short life Harmon 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 portraits were commissioned by Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy Smith and Mayor Richardson Dilworth. The artist was active in promoting African American artists throughout his lifetime. He organized many early shows such as the "Afro American Artists 1800–1969" at the Museum of the Philadelphia Civic Center in 1969, and was considered a Renaissance man by friends and colleagues for his interests not only in art but music and theater as well. Harmon was familiar and friends with many other African American artists such as Doc Thrash, Selma Burke, Paul Keene Jr., Allen Freelon and Charles Searles.
Harmon's work reflects his love of his students and friends. His art has a loose expressionist style that can be related to the work of Alice Neel. A 2016 exhibition at Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio was one of the largest offerings of Bernard Harmon’s work in many years.
Find original Bernard Harmon paintings and other art on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio)
$18,000
Upright Bass, Expressionist Portrait of Musician by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Upright Bass" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 34" oil on board group portrait of a musician is painted...
Oil, Board
Seated Figure, Male Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Seated Figure" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 48" x 35.75" oil on board portrait is painted in energetic and bold brushstrokes, with vi...
Oil, Board
$18,000
Girl Thinking, Expressionist Portrait of Young Woman by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Girl Thinking" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 30" oil on board portrait of a young woman is painted in a vibrant color palette. The painting is framed in a new, black wood frame and signed "B Harmon" on verso. Figurative expressionism in the style of Alice Neel. Bernard Harmon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1935. Harmon was primarily a portrait painter and a well loved teacher in the Philadelphia area. A graduate of the Philadelphia Museum School and Temples Tyler School of Art, Harmon traveled extensively in Europe and South America. Beloved by many, Harmon 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, in the early 1960s he became one of the district's artists in residence, traveling from school to school to demonstrate for students how an artist works. Returning to the classroom, Harmon joined the art department at Central High School where he taught for 14 years and became an innovator in art curriculum, developing a program offering advanced placement art classes to gifted students. In his final years Harmon became a supervisor, mentoring teachers and overseeing programs in the Philadelphia school systems District #1. During his short life Harmon taught collage 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 portraits were commissioned by Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy Smith and Mayor Richardson Dilworth. Bernard Harmon was active in promoting African American Artist throughout his life time. He organized many early shows such as the "Afro American Artists 1800 - 1969" 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 and theater as well. He was familiar and friends with many other African American artists such as Doc Thrash, Selma Burke...
Oil, Board
Patterns and Stripes, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Patterns and Stripes" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 34" oil on board portrait of two figures is painted in a muted color palette. The painting is framed in a new, gold frame and signed "Harmon" on verso. Figurative expressionism in the style of Alice Neel. Bernard Harmon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1935. Harmon was primarily a portrait painter and a well loved teacher in the Philadelphia area. A graduate of the Philadelphia Museum School and Temples Tyler School of Art, Harmon traveled extensively in Europe and South America. Beloved by many, Harmon 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, in the early 1960s he became one of the district's artists in residence, traveling from school to school to demonstrate for students how an artist works. Returning to the classroom, Harmon joined the art department at Central High School where he taught for 14 years and became an innovator in art curriculum, developing a program offering advanced placement art classes to gifted students. In his final years Harmon became a supervisor, mentoring teachers and overseeing programs in the Philadelphia school systems District #1. During his short life Harmon taught collage 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 portraits were commissioned by Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy Smith and Mayor Richardson Dilworth. Bernard Harmon was active in promoting African American Artist throughout his life time. He organized many early shows such as the "Afro American Artists...
Oil, Board
$18,000
Not Speaking, Expressionist Portrait of Mother and Son by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Not Speaking" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 36" x 40" oil on board portrait of a mother and her son is painted in a vibrant color pale...
Oil, Board
Self Portrait, Expressionist Figurative Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Self Portrait" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 47" x 28.5" oil on canvas portrait features Harmon at a young age of about 25 years old. ...
Canvas, Oil
Patterns and Shapes, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Patterns and Shapes" is a portrait painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 36" oil on board portrait is painted in a vibrant color palette. "St...
Oil, Board
$18,000
Girl with Ribbon in Hair, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Girl with Ribbon in Hair" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 35.75" oil on board portrait is painted in a vibrant color palette and l...
Oil, Board
Jazz, Expressionist Portrait of Woman with Violin by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Jazz" is a figurative painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon from 1968. The 34" x 40" oil on board portrait features a young African American woman playi...
Oil, Board
Two Girls in School, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Two Girls in School" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 36" x 40.25" oil on board portrait of two figures is painted in a vibrant color palette. The painting is framed in a new, black wood frame and signed "Harmon" on verso. There is a second portrait the artist painted on the back of the painting. Figurative expressionism in the style of Alice Neel. Bernard Harmon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1935. Harmon was primarily a portrait painter and a well loved teacher in the Philadelphia area. A graduate of the Philadelphia Museum School and Temples Tyler School of Art, Harmon traveled extensively in Europe and South America. Beloved by many, Harmon 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, in the early 1960s he became one of the district's artists in residence, traveling from school to school to demonstrate for students how an artist works. Returning to the classroom, Harmon joined the art department at Central High School where he taught for 14 years and became an innovator in art curriculum, developing a program offering advanced placement art classes to gifted students. In his final years Harmon became a supervisor, mentoring teachers and overseeing programs in the Philadelphia school systems District #1. During his short life Harmon taught collage 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 portraits were commissioned by Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy Smith and Mayor Richardson Dilworth. Bernard Harmon was active in promoting African American Artist throughout his life time. He organized many early shows such as the "Afro American Artists...
Oil, Board
Modern Man, Expressionist Portrait in Red, White, and Blue
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Modern Man" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 36" oil on canvas portrait features a young African American man posing casually and s...
Oil, Canvas
$18,000
Child Resting in Chair, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Child Resting in Chair" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 41" x 35.75" oil on board portrait is painted in a vibrant color palette. The painting is framed in a new, black wood frame and signed "Harmon" on verso. Figurative expressionism in the style of Alice Neel. Bernard Harmon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1935. Harmon was primarily a portrait painter and a well loved teacher in the Philadelphia area. A graduate of the Philadelphia Museum School and Temples Tyler School of Art, Harmon traveled extensively in Europe and South America. Beloved by many, Harmon 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, in the early 1960s he became one of the district's artists in residence, traveling from school to school to demonstrate for students how an artist works. Returning to the classroom, Harmon joined the art department at Central High School where he taught for 14 years and became an innovator in art curriculum, developing a program offering advanced placement art classes to gifted students. In his final years Harmon became a supervisor, mentoring teachers and overseeing programs in the Philadelphia school systems District #1. During his short life Harmon taught collage 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 portraits were commissioned by Philadelphia Jazz organist Jimmy Smith and Mayor Richardson Dilworth. Bernard Harmon was active in promoting African American Artist throughout his life time. He organized many early shows such as the "Afro American Artists...
Oil, Board
$18,000
Drums, Expressionist Group Portrait of Three Musicians by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Drums" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 34" x 40" oil on board group portrait of three musicians playing t...
Oil, Board
$636Sale Price|40% Off
H 13.39 in W 11.82 in
Market Day in Piazza Grande, Expressionist Oil on Board, 1940s, Framed
Located in London, GB
'Market Day in Piazza Grande, Locarno, Switzerland', oil on board, by unknown artist (1947-48). Locarno is an utterly charming Italian-speaking resort located on the northern shore o...
Oil, Board
$1,195Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.57 in W 18.51 in
Family on a Bench at the Port, Expressionist Oil on Board, 1970s
By François Diana
Located in London, GB
'Family Seated on a Bench at the Port', oil on board, by François Diana (circa 1970s). A painting with a very wholesome, homespun theme harks back to a more innocent time. A family i...
Oil, Board
$4,263Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 20.08 in
Young Woman Fetching Water, Oil on Canvas, Signed, Circa 2000, Spain
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Young Woman Fetching Water Artist: Jesús Villar (1930–2015) Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 39.4 x 20.1 in Estimated date: c. 2000 Signature: Signed lower left: "Villar...
Canvas, Oil
$544Sale Price|22% Off
H 18.12 in W 14.97 in
Young Girl with Baby Oil Painting 1970s Spanish Impressionist Portrait Emotional
By Amadeo Freixas Vivo
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Young Girl with Baby Oil Painting 1970s Spanish Impressionist Portrait Emotional Figurative Artwork Medium: Oil on board Period: 1970–1979 Date: circa 1975 Condition: Good condition consistent with age Dimensions: Height: 46 cm (18.12 in) Width: 38 cm (14.97 in) Frame: Unframed Origin: Spain A tender and emotionally engaging oil painting depicting a young girl holding a baby, executed in Spain circa 1975. Rather than a traditional maternal scene, the composition captures a more unusual and compelling dynamic: a child caring for another child. This subtle shift introduces a layer of emotional complexity, where innocence and responsibility coexist. The girl’s expressive gaze becomes the central anchor of the composition, conveying a quiet intensity that draws the viewer in. The artist employs loose yet confident brushwork, with an earthy palette enriched by soft pink tones that enhance the warmth of the scene. This type of subject—intimate, psychological, and slightly unconventional—offers collectors something beyond decorative appeal: a narrative moment suspended in time. Its small scale further increases its charm and versatility, making it ideal for refined interiors or curated gallery walls. A distinctive example of late 20th-century Spanish figurative impressionism, with strong emotional resonance. Amadeo Freixas Vivo (1912–2004) was a Spanish painter known for his figurative and impressionist works. Throughout his career, he developed a personal style focused on intimate scenes and expressive portraiture, often exploring themes of everyday life and human emotion. girl with baby painting, figurative oil painting, spanish painting 1970s, impressionist portrait, child portrait painting...
Oil, Board
$2,200
H 20.5 in W 18 in
Expressionist African American Woman Portrait German Brazilian Harry Elsas
Located in Surfside, FL
Framed 20.5 x 18 image 14.5 x 12 Heinz Hugo Erich Elsas, (German-Brazilian 1925-1994) later known as Harry Elsas. Muralist, writer, designer best known as a painter. Born in 1925 in Stuttgart, Germany, 1n 1936 At the age of 14 he moved with his family to Sao Paulo, Brazil fleeing from World War II and of the persecution of the Jews. A self taught artist he was influenced by the Flemish artists, his work reveals remarkable influence of Brueghel and Hieronymus Bosch. He worked in the workshop of Portinari, participating in the Tiradentes mural. His work went through a post-Expressionist phase, culminating in the adoption of cubism and is characterized by the habit of creating a three-dimensional structure before painting a picture. In 1945, he was working with Lasar Segall...
Oil, Board
$1,400
H 24 in W 20 in
Pre War European Hasidic Rabbi Kiddush Levana (Moon) German Judaica Oil Painting
Located in Surfside, FL
Kiddush Levanah oil painting Hand signed A. Gruenstein. It is not dated or titled. Pre War European Chasidic Rabbis Kiddush Levana (Blessing on seeing the new moon) German Judaica ...
Canvas, Oil
$4,500
H 55 in W 43 in
Large Oil Painting Circus Scene Clowns Rediscovered NY Artist Jonah Kinigstein
By Jonah Kinigstein
Located in Surfside, FL
Jonah Kinigstein "Death of a Clown" Large Oil on Board Painting of macabre circus scene with clowns Hand signed lower left and signed and titled verso Frame: 55 X 43 Image: 48 X 36 ...
Oil, Board
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 1 in
Adam & Eve in Space: Oil Painting, oil on canvas and gold leaf
By Paula Craioveanu
Located in Forest Hills, NY
"Adam and Eve in Space" - original large art by Paula Craioveanu part of Myths of the Future new project. Original, large, unique painting, oil on canvas, 31.5x31.5in / 80x80cm. Sh...
Canvas, Oil
$6,500
H 20 in W 16 in D 1.5 in
"Untitled" - Earth Tone Contemporary Expressionism Oil Painting of a Man
Located in Carmel, CA
Rizaldy Celi Jr. (American, Filipino-Vietnamese, born 1983) "Untitled" 2025 Oil Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom right of the...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$2,200
H 24 in W 32.5 in
Large Israeli Expressionist Orientalist Oil Painting Draped Child Kibbutz Art
By William Weintraub
Located in Surfside, FL
William (Sunny) Weintraub, Israeli (Born 1926) Oil on masonite William Weintraub (He was also known as Shlomo Weintraub and nicknamed Sonny Weintraub) Genre: Impressionist Subject: ...
Canvas, Oil, Board
$650
H 11.8 in W 9.8 in D 1 in
Nigerian Prince 1 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Painting, Men, Texture
By Godfrey Chukwuebuka
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
Acrylic, Cardboard
$987
H 31.5 in W 22.45 in D 0.04 in
Girl. Portrait by Janis Rikmanis. Oil on plywood, 70 x 50 cm. Signed
By Janis Rikmanis
Located in Riga, LV
Janis Rikmanis (1901.5.IV – 1968.25.III) graduated Figurative painting studio of Latvia Art academy (1931). He took part in exhibitions since 1929. Self-exhibitions were made in Riga...
Oil, Cardboard
Sold
H 43.5 in W 39.5 in D 1 in
Girl with Flowerpot, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Girl with Flowerpot" is a portrait painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 40" x 36" oil on board portrait is painted in a vibrant color palette. The...
Oil, Board
Sold
H 47.75 in W 41.74 in D 1.5 in
Striped Dress and Boy, Expressionist Portrait by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Striped Dress and Boy" is a painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon. The 41.75" x 35.75" oil on board portrait of two figures is painted in a vibrant colo...
Oil, Board