User:EvanRo/Bernard Perlin

Bernard Perlin was an American painter. He is primarily known for creating pro-war art during World War II and magic realism paintings of urban American life.

Early life and education
Perlin was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1918. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Russia. At the encouragement of a high school teacher, he was enrolled in the New York School of Design. He studied there from 1934 to 1936, the National Academy of Design in 1937, and then the Arts Student League until 1940. In 1938, he was awarded the Kosciusko Foundation Award to study in Poland.

Career
Perlin entered the Graphics Department of the Office of War Information in 1942, creating pro-war propaganda popular in the United States. He continued his focus on war as an artist-correspondent for Life Magazine from 1943-1944 and then again for Fortune Magazine in 1945. His two most notable wartime pieces, both created in 1943, are arguably his "Let Em Have It" war bonds ad, which depicts a soldier throwing a grenade and urges the audience to support him by purchasing extra war bonds, and "Americans Will Always Fight for Freedom," a painting of World War II soldiers walking in front of Continental Army soldiers.

Upon returning to the United States, he painted a country scene on a post office wall for the US Treasury. His work began to focus on magic realism, aiming to capture special moments in everyday life. He produced his most famous work, Orthodox Boys, in 1948. The painting depicts two Jewish boys meeting in front of a subway graffiti backdrop.

Perlin moved to Italy for six years, and his work became more brightly colored. After moving back to New York City, Perlin grew distasteful towards the competitive culture of the city's art scene. He moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut, and continued to paint until the 1970s.

Personal life
Perlin was married to Edward Newell. When he stopped painting, Perlin took up growing flowers.

Perlin died at the age of 95 in 2014 in his home in Ridgefield.