Oscar Edward Berninghaus (1874–1952)

Oscar E. Berninghaus, A Founding Member of the Taos Society of Artists

Oscar Edmund Berninghaus (1874–1952) was a pivotal figure in American art and one of the founding members of the Taos Society of Artists. Established in 1915, the Society brought attention to Taos as a vibrant artistic hub despite the lack of galleries at the time. Unlike contemporaries such as Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, Berninghaus portrayed the people and landscapes of the American Southwest in a realistic and unromanticized style, focusing on Pueblo Indians and the New Mexico landscape. His friendships with the Taos Indians afforded him unique access to their sacred spaces, enriching his work with authenticity.

A largely self-taught artist, Berninghaus began his career as a commercial artist in St. Louis. His early training included apprenticeships in lithography and night classes at the St. Louis School of Fine Art. His life changed during a 1899 trip to New Mexico as a guest of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Captivated by the Taos landscape, he began dividing his time between summers in Taos and winters in St. Louis, eventually settling in Taos permanently in 1925.

Throughout his career, Berninghaus achieved great success. His work was exhibited at prestigious venues like the Noonan-Kocian Gallery in St. Louis, and he earned major commissions, including paintings for Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association and lunettes for the Missouri State Capitol. Berninghaus’ art continues to be celebrated for its vivid portrayal of Southwestern life and culture.

Adaptation From: Amanda Douberley, ART in Embassies Program, U.S. Department of State, 2005