Bernhard, Ruth (1905–)
Bernhard, Ruth (1905–)
German-born photographer. Born Ruth-Maria Bernhard in Berlin, Germany, Oct 14, 1905; dau. of Lucien Bernhard (graphic and typeface designer); parents divorced when she was an infant; raised by schoolteachers Helene and Katarina Lotz; attended Academy of Fine Arts, Berlin, 1927; became US citizen, 1935.
Photographer of nudes, still lifes and portraits, as well as advertising and fashion work, immigrated to US (1927); did freelance work for The New York Times and Advertising Art, as well Macy's and Sloane's department stores; became photographer for Machine Age, a publication of the Museum of Modern Art (1934); moved to Santa Monica, California, resuming her freelance career in Los Angeles; had a fascination with shells that led to a collaboration with conchologist Jean Schwengel (1940s); moved to San Francisco (1953); published 2 portfolios of prints, The Gift of the Common place and The Eternal Body, as well as a monograph of her work Collecting Light; considered one of the preeminent 20th-century photographers of the female nude. Received Dorothea Lange award at Oakland Museum (1971).
See also Women in World History.