Gerhard Bakker was a prominent Milwaukee artist, especially in the 1930's. All of the work that I have ever seen is from that era. Bakker was born in Germany in 1906. He arrived in Milwaukee in 1930 and studied at the Layton School of Art. He must have been unemployed in 1933-34 because he qualified for and participated in the WPA art program during those years. After an art study period at Broadmoor Art Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he returned to Milwaukee. (Colorado provided subject matter for some of his prints.) Later, he taught at Layton Art School, and started their photography program. He had a national reputation in photography and his memory is honored even today with the "Bakker Prize," given to a promising young photographer. Bakker exhibited his prints and paintings widely, at various museums including the Corcoran. As a printmaker, he exhibited with the Milwaukee Printmakers---they continued exhibiting as a group until at least 1940. Over the years I have collected a number of Bakker's prints, but I have only seen a couple of his paintings, both in oil  and watercolor.

Gerhard Bakker "Road to Cripple Creek Colo" undated woodcut

This is a much smaller print than the above, but is closely related. it is untitled.

 

 Gerhard Bakker "Hallet Peak Colo"  1935 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker "Devil's Gulch"  1935 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker "Grain Elevators"  1933 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker "Nude"  undated woodcut

Gerhard Bakker  "Top of the Morning"  1934 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker  "3 o'clock shift"  1933 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker  "Watchman's Shanty"  1933 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker  "Wooden Shoes"  undated lithograph

Gerhard Bakker  untitled (Bayfield Pier), undated lithograph
The shack says "Bayfield" so I am assuming this is Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Gerhard Bakker "Obsolete Lime Kiln" 1934 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker "The Garden of the Gods"  undated lithograph

Gerhard Bakker untitled (Trees)  1934 woodcut

Gerhard Bakker  "Victor with Portland Mine"  undated woodcut

Gerhard Bakker "Algoma Harbor"  undated woodcut.
Algoma is a small Wisconsin town on Lake Michigan.

Gerhard Bakker "Rockport"  1940 lithograph
I assume Bakker visited the artist colony at Rockport, Mass.

Gerhard Bakker "Fishing Shacks" undated lithograph

Gerhard Bakker "Pike's Peak Colo"  1934 lithograph

Gerhard Bakker "Bluebird Goldmine Colo"  1935 woodcut