Gerald Bernhardt

Gerald Bernhardt was active as an artist and documentarian during a concentrated period in the mid-1930s, specifically 1935 and 1936. His documented output comprises 15 works dedicated to the comprehensive recording of historical material culture, categorized under the Index of American Designs project.

This specialized body of work, held in major institutions to provide historical reference, focuses on detailed renderings of decorative arts and domestic furnishings. Represented in museum collections, these works include studies of artifacts such as a Chair, a Cradle, Andirons, a Silver Teapot, and a Silver Pitcher.

Today, 15 documented pieces by Bernhardt are preserved in the National Gallery of Art collection, establishing his role within the federal arts documentation efforts of the Depression era. The precise nature and detailed execution of these studies make them valuable resources for scholars and designers. As works documenting historical objects, many of Gerald Bernhardt’s prints and renderings are considered royalty-free and are often available for educational purposes as high-quality prints or downloadable artwork.