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Lucian Bernhard Advertising Art Collection

National Museum of American History
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Object Details

Creator
Hollander, Bernard
Bernhard, Lucian
Topic
Patent medicines
Commercial art -- 1940-1990
Graphic design
Industrial design
advertising
Provenance
Collection donated by Bernard Hollander.
Creator
Hollander, Bernard
Bernhard, Lucian
See more items in
Lucian Bernhard Advertising Art Collection
Summary
This collection documents Bernhard's career as an REM advertisement artist in the 1920s as well as his pursuit of canvas painting following his retirement. It contains REM advertisements and materials from posthumous exhibitions of Bernhard's paintings, as well as writings from Bernhard himself and researchers.
Biographical / Historical
Lucian Bernhard (1883-1972) was a German-American graphic artist, interior designer, industrial designer, and professor. His work in advertising art, especially his designs for Rem Cough Syrup, was highly influential and he designed several popular type fonts. Born in Germany, he moved to New York City in the early 1920s and worked prolifically in both German and American advertising. His artistic style is defined by straightforwardness, color, and simplicity. Bernhard is known as the creator of the Sachplakat poster style, which features a bold lettering style paired with a simple central image and unique, non-primary colors. This style is designed to attract the viewer's eye amidst a barrage of advertising posters. Following his career as a commercial artist, he turned to canvas painting and created works until his death in 1972. Sources "Lucian Bernhard." ADC • Global Awards & Club. (http://adcglobal.org/hall-of-fame/lucian-bernhard/) Last accessed on July 05, 2016. "Plakatstil." (http://www.csun.edu/~pjd77408/DrD/Art461/LecturesAll/Lectures/Lecture06/Plakastil.html Last accessed on July 5, 2016
Extent
0.6 Cubic feet (1 box, 3 rolled items)
Date
1920s-2000
Archival Repository
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier
NMAH.AC.1161
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Posters
Design drawings
Advertisements
Articles
Citation
Lucian Bernhard Advertising Art Collection, 1920s-2000, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into four series. Series 1: Exhibitions, 1999-2000 Series 2: Publications, 1956 November Series 3: Miscellaneous, 1920-2000 Series 4: REM Cough Syrup Advertising, 1920-2000
Processing Information
Collection processed by Holly Nelson, 2016.
Rights
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Genre/Form
Posters
Design drawings
Advertisements
Articles
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of archival materials relating to the graphic artist and designer Lucian Bernhard, including a water color design drawing, five subway car cards advertising the cough syrup Rem, five advertising proofs for Rem, a 1956 magazine called PRODUCTIONWISE with an article about Bernhard, a folio of color reproductions advertising the sale of Bernhard's artworks, an exhibit announcement, two oversize posters, and miscellaneous printed material.
Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1503512565325-1503512565328-0
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8fed93ce1-debb-4b23-969d-ab6ee5f190c0

In the Collection

  • Cartoon depicting REM Advertising, Page from The New Yorker

  • Informational Booklet from the 2000 BHD Art Works Corporation Sale of Originals and Prints titled Lucian Bernhard: "Modern Romantic"

  • REM Cough Syrup Advertising

  • Exhibitions

  • Productionwise Volume 8, No. 3 (November 1956)

  • Photograph of bronze statue of Young Woman, Bending Over

  • Six Black and White Advertising Prints for REM

  • Color Drawing for REM

  • Five Large Color Cardboard Advertising Posters for REM

  • Invitation to the 2000 Exhibition Bernhard's Women in Palm Beach, Florida

  • Invitation to the 1999 Berlin Exhibition Opening (Pamphlet)

  • Photo Card of statue Ariadne by Lucian Bernhard

  • Publications

  • "REM: Fast Relief for Coughs due to Colds" (Black Background)

  • The Man Who Couldn't Draw Straight by Steven Heller (Article)

  • Miscellaneous

  • Book Review of Lucian Bernhard-Werbung und Design im Aufbruch de 20. Jahrhunderts (Review in English)

  • "REM: Fast Relief for Coughs due to Colds" (White Background)

Invitation to the 1999 Berlin Exhibition Opening (Pamphlet)
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International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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