Ruth Bernhard's iconic photographs helped to define the field of photography in 20th century art. Bernhard's nude and still life photographs are respected internationally as the work of a master in the medium of photography.

Ruth Bernhard emigrated from Germany to the United States when she was 22 years old. At age 30 she was already a successful commercial photographer in New York when she traveled to California and met photographer Edward Weston. This was a critical contact for her as it opened her mind to the idea that photography could be a personal and powerful fine art form. She returned to New York with her eyes opened and her outlook forever changed. She produced her first still life photographs in the 30s.

Bernhard’s visit to California continued to influence her life and work and she eventually decided to move to the west coast. After several visits to California, she made her final move to her present home in San Francisco in 1953. She had by that time already begun photographing female nudes, for which work she has gained international recognition as one of the most important woman in the history of photography in this country.