Born in New York City on 1896 December 26, James D. Herbert attended the Horace Mann School and received an A.B. in 1919 from Columbia University's School of Architecture. He served as an ensign in the Naval Reserve during World War One. Encouraged by family members, Herbert studied at the Art Students League (NYC), 1920-1926, the Beaux Arts School (NYC), 1925, and the Academie Julien (Paris) during the summers of 1921 and 1923. He worked as an Advertising and Editorial Art Director, 1920-1940, and taught at the Brearley School (NYC) for three years. Herbert served as the Art Director for the Office of War Information during World War Two.
A resident of New York City, he taught at the Pratt Institute during 1946 and then moved to Providence, RI in 1947 to accept a position at Rhode Island School of Design teaching fashion and advertising illustration. He remained at RISD through 1951 June. He taught at Dean Academy (Franklin, MA), 1952-1954, and the Newport Academy of Fine Arts and the Emerson School (Newport, RI) from 1954 until his retirement in 1960. Herbert married Elizabeth G. White in Providence, RI on 1947 November 30.
The Bert Gallery (Providence, RI) described Herbert painting from a "personal and psychological perspective, capturing the 'performances' of individuals. Dancers and theatrical figures were his subject matter." He exhibited his paintings and sculpture widely during his career including the Art Institute of Chicago, National Academy of Design, Salon d'Auton (Paris), Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Providence Art Club, and numerous galleries in New York City. Herbert continued to paint and teach private lessons after retirement until his death in Providence, RI on 1970 March 3.
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James D. Herbert papers, Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
The collection contains four publication proposals created by James D. Herbert, 1934-1960s. The "Butterick Fashion Book," 1934 Fall, contains fashion pattern illustrations for women and children rendered in pencil, ink, and watercolor prepared for the Butterick Company, NY. A portfolio (18x14 inches) contains two versions of "Relationships to Build On" (undated), a proposed time line depicting the history and development of art, 13th-20th century. A second portfolio (18x14 inches) holds 18 boards with sketches for the "Fitness for Freedom and Democracy Campaign," circa 1964, a patriotic themed exercise program featuring Stan Musial that may have been prepared for the YMCA. The final proposal is for a book titled "Design Structure: The Permanent Value in Art" (undated) contained in three notebooks.
The collection is organized into one series: Publication proposals.
Donated to the Rhode Island School of Design Archives in 2012 by Catherine Bert of the Bert Gallery, Providence, RI.
The Archives of American Art holds the James D. Herbert papers, 1950-1971, donated by his wife Elizabeth.