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)
Green Landscape, Expressionist Painting by Philadelphia Artist
By Bernard Harmon
Located in Doylestown, PA
"Green Landscape" is a landscape painting by Philadelphia born Expressionist painter Bernard Harmon from 1955. The 18" x 24" oil on canvas features a spring or summer landscape, pain...
Oil, Canvas
$999
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 0.79 in
Bring Me To Life - Vibrant green abstract landscape painting
By Jennifer L. Baker
Located in Silverthorne, CO
This captivating contemporary oil on canvas is an evocative exploration of light and organic form. Utilizing a luminous palette of forest greens, emerald, and sky blue, the artist cr...
Canvas, Oil
$9,335
H 15.16 in W 21.66 in
"Venice Twilight", 19th Century Oil on Canvas by Charles-Clément Calderon
Located in Madrid, ES
CHARLES - CLÉMENT CALDERON French, 1870 - 1906 VENICE TWILIGHT signed "C. Calderon" (lower right) oil on canvas 15-1/4 x 21-3/4 inches (38.5 x 55 cm.) ...
Canvas, Oil
Lofoton Morning, Norway
By Tom Irizarry Studio
Located in Booklyn, NY
Verified original work by Tom irizarry. Handmade oil paint made by artist, pigments on canvas, 16 x 20 inches. Morning view of Lofoton mountain range, Norway. 2024. 16 x 20 inches, o...
Canvas, Oil, Pigment
$790
H 12.21 in W 25.99 in
Mid-Century Modern Swedish "Chimneys" Vintage Winter Street Scene Oil Painting
Located in Bristol, GB
Chimneys Oil on canvas Size: 31 x 66 cm (including frame) A very well executed mid century modernist winter street scene composition in oil, painted onto canvas. This charming stre...
Canvas, Oil
Spring poppies 50X50
By Elena Lukina
Located in Zofingen, AG
In creating this piece, I've poured my soul into the vivid crimson blooms, contrasting against the subdued greens and blues, evoking life's vibrancy. Each stroke is a breath, blendin...
Canvas, Oil
Vintage Mid-Century Swedish Landscape Framed Oil Painting - Planes
Located in Bristol, GB
PLANES Size: 36 x 70 cm (including frame) Oil on Canvas A beautifully textured and atmospheric mid-century landscape composition, executed in oil onto canvas. The painting presents...
Canvas, Oil
$933
H 18.12 in W 25.6 in D 0.6 in
Mid Century French Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Vers La Durance
Located in Cotignac, FR
French Expressionist oil on canvas of a river and mountain landscape by Gisele Grant-Gapail. The painting is initialled bottom right, signed and dated to the back of the canvas and t...
Canvas, Oil
$16,000
H 30 in W 40 in D 0.75 in
"Beginning of Sunset" - Textural Oil Landscape - Vibrant Earth and Pastel Tones
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Hayssam Masri (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Beginning of Sunset" 2020 Oil paint on canvas, stretcher bars The artist signed the bottom right corner of the painting. “Beginning of ...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$8,000
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.75 in
"Nel Bosco" - Italian Abstract Landscape of a Dark Forest - Green and Yellow Oil
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Nel Bosco" 1999 Oil paint on canvas, stretcher bars Signed by the artist on the bottom right corner of the painting. "Nel Bosco" is an ...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$8,000
H 16 in W 20 in D 0.75 in
"Paesaggio Toscano" - Original Italian Countryside Landscape - Earth Tones
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Paesaggio Toscano" 2002 Oil paint on canvas, stretcher bars The artist signed the bottom left corner of the artwork. Painted in 2002, “...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$11,000
H 27.75 in W 19.5 in D 0.75 in
"White Sand by the Ocean" - Textured Impasto Landscape Artwork - Oil on Canvas
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "White Sand by the Ocean" 2015 Oil paint on canvas, stretcher bars The artist signed the bottom left and the back of the painting. “Whit...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars
$7,750
H 36 in W 36 in D 1.5 in
"Violet Beauty" - Vibrant Textured Coastal Seascape with Purple Wildflowers
By Natalia Aandewiel
Located in Carmel, CA
Natalia Aandewiel (Ukrainian, born 1996) "Violet Beauty" 2024 Oil Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. 'Violet ...
Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars