A Life Painted in Social Realism: The World of Lily Harmon Lily Harmon (born Lillian Perelmutter, 1912-1998) was a quietly powerful force in American art for much of the 20th century. Though perhaps not a household name, her career spanned decades and encompassed portraiture, book illustration, assemblage, and a deep engagement with the Social Realist movement. Harmon’s life story is as compelling as the canvases she created—a journey marked by intellectual curiosity, artistic dedication, and a willingness to explore the complexities of human experience. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, her e…