Chester County Medicine Winter 2019 - 20

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The Art of Chester County
A Chester County Gem
Ralph Bienert
BY MIAN A. JAN, MD, FACC, FSCAI

Dr. Jan's Story

Ralph Bienert

I first met Ralph Bienert in 2002 and I have been seeing him as
a patient all these years. As often happens with me and my patients
we develop a relationship and friendship that transcends patient/
doctor relationship, a trust and a sacred bond that only a patient
and his doctor can fathom and feel.

My interest in the visual arts began when I was a child. I always
remember the smell of my mother's watercolors when she opened a
tube and put some paint on her white metal palette. Young though
I was, I found myself transfixed by the timeless beauty of Edward
McCartan's bronze female figure standing in the goldfish pond/
fountain and Dupre's painting, "La Balloon," depicting French
peasants gazing at a hot air balloon in the distant sky. I saw both
of these during a family outing to the Reading Art Museum. I still
return to the museum to admire them whenever I have a chance.

One day I saw him sketching in my waiting room and I asked
him if I can see the sketches for I at that time did not even know
that Ralph made his living teaching art. Sketches reminded me of
French post-impressionist Paul Gauguin's work especially toward
the end of his life when he lived in French Polynesia.
I asked to look at his other work, what was astounding was
how skillful he was not just at painting but many other artistic
mediums including drawings, coins and medallic work and
sculpting.
Chester County has produced some world renowned artists but
what about lesser known gems like Ralph, what are we doing to
help them and give them recognition they so richly deserve?
It's so sad as age and ravishes of time take away an artist's
beautiful skills, they are forgotten and their great works are not
appreciated.
I hope and pray we can put some system in place where not
only are they recognized but their work is seen, enjoyed and
appreciated by generations to come.
We at the Medical Society try to profile such artists in our
journal as "Art of Chester County"and if someone is interested in
being profiled, they can contact me (610) 344-7652.

20 CHESTER COUNT Y Medicine | WINTER 2019

After graduating from high school, I went to Kutztown
University and later to the Art Center College of Design, now in
Pasadena, California. There, I studied painting and drawing with
Lorser Feitleson and Harry Carmean. Around the time I graduated
from Kutztown, I met a fellow art student, Bonnie Draper, in
a studio. We were married a few months after our first date, a
visit to the Russian Hermitage exhibit at the National Gallery in
Washington, DC. Bonnie has had a profound influence on my
life and art ever since. For six years, we both taught painting and
drawing at numerous private schools. I also taught art history
at Northampton Area Community College. Following that, I
worked as a medallic sculptor for the Franklin Mint for 17 years.
Then, I did freelance sculpting for many companies, including the
Franklin Mint, the Danbury Mint, the Bradford Exchange, and
the Tonner Doll Company. This resulted in some perks, including
several Doll of the Year awards (Doty), presidential inaugural
coins, and meeting an ambassador of the Egyptian government.
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Chester County Medicine Winter 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chester County Medicine Winter 2019
