Gerard is the brother of N.H. van Lerven. He lived and worked in Arnhem and was a student at the applied arts school in Amsterdam under the direction of G. Sturm. He painted, drew and etched landscapes and village views (districts), including in the Betuwe, Corsica, southern France and Paris. He also painted flower still lifes and a single portrait. From 1914 to 1951, van Lerven was director of the Akademi 'Kunstoefening' in Arnhem.