Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Lucian Bernhard Advertising Art Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1161
Creators:
Hollander, Bernard
Bernhard, Lucian
Dates:
1920s-2000
Languages:
Collection is in
English
. Some materials in
German
.
Physical Description:
0.6 Cubic feet
1 box, 3 rolled items
Repository:
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.

Scope and Contents

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.

Arrangement

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

Biographical / Historical

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

Administration

Author
Holly Nelson
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Bernard Hollander.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Holly Nelson, 2016.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Lucian Bernhard Advertising Art Collection, 1920s-2000, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Use
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.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Posters Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Patent medicines Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Design drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Commercial art -- 1940-1990 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Graphic design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Industrial design Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Articles Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
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