Re-discover…Bayard Taylor Berndt (1908-1987)
Hardcastle Gallery is pleased to re-introduce one of the Brandywine Valley's best-kept secrets, Bayard Taylor Berndt (1908-1987). He was a student of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, the Wilmington Academy of Art, now the Delaware Art Museum's studio program, as well as a W.P.A. artist that painted scenery for many of the local theaters, including the Arden Theater and the Brandywiner’s headquarters in Breck’s Mill. The influence from his instructors at the Wilmington Academy in the early thirties, such as Gayle Hoskins, Henrietta Whiteside, Stanley Arthurs, Frank Schoonover and N.C. Wyeth, infused his early paintings with an illustrator’s touch. After his student days ended, Berndt stayed on at the Academy as director and teacher for 10 years.
When World War II effectively closed the Wilmington Academy, Berndt (B.T. to those who new him) was motivated to buy a major share of Hardcastle’s Inc., an art supply and frame-making business, in 1946. He was to hold court there for 40 years, turning the enterprise into a popular gathering spot for Delaware painters, both established and aspiring. Local artists still fondly recall his crusty exterior, wry humor, and his generosity, encouragement and advice. At the very start of their careers, artists on the current Hardcastle roster, such as Carolyn Blish, Henry Meier, Ray Olivere, Jim McGlynn, and Phillip Wikoff, might have exhibited a painting or two in the window of the Shipley Street shop or solicited advice on art supplies from its colorful proprietor.
More than anything, B.T. wanted to paint murals of historic events in the Brandywine region, much like those created by his friend N. C. Wyeth. Often considered a local historian, BT was fascinated with the remnants of the 19th century industrial and urban environment from which the area derived its early economic vitality. He would passionately delve into his subjects, researching the characters and details he planned to include in his images. Combining both his penchant for history and illustration, Bayard recreated scenes such as Washington and his troops crossing the Market Street Bridge over the Brandywine River, Christmas in New Castle in 1750, Lafayette’s headquarters in Chadds Ford, and sleigh races in Newark, Delaware.
A prolific painter in oils and watercolors, Bayard believed the best way to capture the essence of a subject into 2-dimensional art was to work on location, or “en plein air” from the French meaning “ in open air.” He painted in nature’s extremes; in snowstorms, summer heat, even rain. It was the only way to “get it”, as he was often heard saying. In fact, according to his son David, the 2nd generation owner of Hardcastle Gallery, Bayard didn’t even own a camera until much later in his career. His bold plein-aire style of painting was a favorite in the Wilmington area and surrounding environs. There was plenty of subject matter around the Brandywine Valley to satisfy B.T.’s brushes. Again, according to David, his father felt there was never a need to look elsewhere for scenes to render.
Many of his paintings are still owned privately and are treasured from one generation to the next with local families; to his credit there are very few on the open market for sale. Most proud owners bring their originals into Hardcastle Gallery for history lessons, restoration or updated framing. B.T.’s paintings are in the collections of Hotel DuPont, The DuPont Company, Delaware Art Museum, Brandywine River Museum, Wilmington Trust, Delmarva Power, University of Delaware, and Avon, as well as numerous private collections.