Ernest H. Hart was born in New York City on October 2, 1910. He attended public schools in New Haven and went on to attend the Art Students League in New York for four years. After completing art school, he went on a motorcycle trip through the United States and Mexico. Hart illustrated books for children and was known for his animal art, having both authored and illustrated over thirty books dealing with the subject by 1930. He belonged to the Association of Connecticut Artists and the Association of American Artists. He worked for the Public Works of Art Project and then the WPA Federal Arts Project The latter described his style as “pure broken brilliant color.” Hart completed 25 easel works and 4 murals for the WPA. They were allocated to the New Haven County Jail, West Haven Firehouse, Troup Jr. High School and the Community Chest in New Haven, the Danbury Normal School, Fairfield High School, Undercliff Sanatorium, Long Lane Farm, Fort Wright, and the Rocky Hill Soldiers’ Home. Hart’s lunettes on various philosophers were installed at the Troup Junior High School Library. Hart passed away in Florida in 1985.

 Sources: WPA Artist’s Work Card; WPA Biography; Who Was Who in American Art (1985), p. 365; “WPA Federal Arts Project Newsletter”, November 1938; Social Security Death Index.