Leonard Bahr
Encyclopedia
Leonard Marion Bahr was a prolific painter of portraits and murals, an illustrator, as well as a highly regarded painting professor for 52 years at the Maryland Institute College of Art
(MICA).
In 1930, Leonard started his professional painting career while still a student, beginning with two portraits of Baltimore's Mayor Preston. Leonard, a Christian, painted Biblical themes throughout his life. Among them was a commission for an altar painting of "Christ at Gethsemane," which was installed in Our Savior's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansdowne. Also, a book of his drawings depicting the "23rd Psalm of David" was illustrated and published in 1933.
It is important to Baltimore history that Leonard also painted murals for the Works Progress Administration
, including two for the Baltimore Municipal Aquarium at Druid Hill Park, and two for the Catonsville High School
, depicting the marriage of Polly Caton and the rolling of tobacco
by slaves along Rolling Road to the Elkridge Landing seaport. Though the Catonsville murals were mysteriously destroyed, the preliminary drawing for that mural is held at the Smithsonian
.
His service as Lt. Commander in the Navy during WWII, included illustrating Navy life for various military magazines. His career as a portraitist included commissions of Bishop Noble C. Powell, various doctors and administrators at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and other prominent individuals. The State of Maryland commissioned him to replicate the historical portrait, by John Wollaston
, of Daniel Carroll
to be installed at the State House. Leonard served on art boards and juries and exhibited his work widely, winning many prizes for his artistic eye.
In 1980, Leonard retired from MICA with honors for service, and a few years later was subsequently filmed for a video entitled "A Painter's Portrait." Leonard's history and artworks have been published and are privately and corporately owned nationally, including the University of Arizona, the Peabody Conservatory of Music, the Baltimore Museum of Art
, the Corcoran Gallery of Art
, and the Elkridge Heritage Society, to name a few. There is a series of photos at the Maryland Historical Society, of Leonard painting outdoors, photographed by family friend and Maryland photographer Emily Hayden
.
As an artist, professor, father, and husband (of Florence E. Riefle
, whom he married in 1934), Leonard was a humble man who saw the best in most people and sought the understanding of higher truth to life's situations and challenges. Leonard died of heart failure July 25, 1990.
Publishments include: American Artist, The Appalachian South, Gardens Houses and People, The Baltimore Sun Magazine, and the Baltimore Sun.
References online containing specifics about the lives and art of Leonard and Florence Riefle Bahr
include: "findagrave.com"; "sailor.com"; "mhs.org"; "mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/speccol"; "mdartsource.com"; "medicalarchives.jhmi.edu"; and "cooldaddio.net," as well as other source sites.
Maryland Institute College of Art
Maryland Institute College of Art is an art and design college in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. It was founded in 1826 as the Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, making it one of the first and oldest art colleges in the United States. In 2008, MICA was ranked #2 in the nation...
(MICA).
In 1930, Leonard started his professional painting career while still a student, beginning with two portraits of Baltimore's Mayor Preston. Leonard, a Christian, painted Biblical themes throughout his life. Among them was a commission for an altar painting of "Christ at Gethsemane," which was installed in Our Savior's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansdowne. Also, a book of his drawings depicting the "23rd Psalm of David" was illustrated and published in 1933.
It is important to Baltimore history that Leonard also painted murals for the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
, including two for the Baltimore Municipal Aquarium at Druid Hill Park, and two for the Catonsville High School
Catonsville High School
Catonsville High School is a four-year public high school in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It is located on the southwest side of the county close to the Baltimore City border near Anne Arundel and Howard County, just outside of the Baltimore Beltway.-History:Catonsville High School...
, depicting the marriage of Polly Caton and the rolling of tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
by slaves along Rolling Road to the Elkridge Landing seaport. Though the Catonsville murals were mysteriously destroyed, the preliminary drawing for that mural is held at the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
.
His service as Lt. Commander in the Navy during WWII, included illustrating Navy life for various military magazines. His career as a portraitist included commissions of Bishop Noble C. Powell, various doctors and administrators at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and other prominent individuals. The State of Maryland commissioned him to replicate the historical portrait, by John Wollaston
John Wollaston (painter)
John Wollaston was an English painter of portraits who was active in the British colonies in North America for much of his career. He was one of a handful of painters to introduce the English Rococo style to the American colonies.-Biography:Little is known of Wollaston's early life. He is...
, of Daniel Carroll
Daniel Carroll
Daniel Carroll was a politician and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a prominent member of one of the United States' great colonial Catholic families, whose members included his younger brother Archbishop John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States and...
to be installed at the State House. Leonard served on art boards and juries and exhibited his work widely, winning many prizes for his artistic eye.
In 1980, Leonard retired from MICA with honors for service, and a few years later was subsequently filmed for a video entitled "A Painter's Portrait." Leonard's history and artworks have been published and are privately and corporately owned nationally, including the University of Arizona, the Peabody Conservatory of Music, the Baltimore Museum of Art
Baltimore Museum of Art
The Baltimore Museum of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, was founded in 1914. Built in the Roman Temple style, the Museum is home to an internationally renowned collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary art. Founded in 1914 with a single painting, the BMA today has 90,000 works...
, the Corcoran Gallery of Art
Corcoran Gallery of Art
The Corcoran Gallery of Art is the largest privately supported cultural institution in Washington, DC. The museum's main focus is American art. The permanent collection includes works by Rembrandt, Eugène Delacroix, Edgar Degas, Thomas Gainsborough, John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet, Pablo...
, and the Elkridge Heritage Society, to name a few. There is a series of photos at the Maryland Historical Society, of Leonard painting outdoors, photographed by family friend and Maryland photographer Emily Hayden
Emily Hayden
Emily Hayden is a former camogie player, captain of the All Ireland Camogie Championship winning team in 2001.-Career:She played in six successive All Ireland finals for Tipperary winning All Ireland medals in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. She won her first All Ireland senior club medal...
.
As an artist, professor, father, and husband (of Florence E. Riefle
Florence Riefle Bahr
Florence Elizabeth Riefle Bahr was a prolific artist and activist throughout her life. Early in her career, she was quoted as saying, "I'd rather paint than eat."...
, whom he married in 1934), Leonard was a humble man who saw the best in most people and sought the understanding of higher truth to life's situations and challenges. Leonard died of heart failure July 25, 1990.
Publishments include: American Artist, The Appalachian South, Gardens Houses and People, The Baltimore Sun Magazine, and the Baltimore Sun.
References online containing specifics about the lives and art of Leonard and Florence Riefle Bahr
Florence Riefle Bahr
Florence Elizabeth Riefle Bahr was a prolific artist and activist throughout her life. Early in her career, she was quoted as saying, "I'd rather paint than eat."...
include: "findagrave.com"; "sailor.com"; "mhs.org"; "mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/speccol"; "mdartsource.com"; "medicalarchives.jhmi.edu"; and "cooldaddio.net," as well as other source sites.