Emile Bernard

Emile Bernard (1868–1941), French, Émile Bernard, a French painter, engraver, and writer, was born on April 28, 1868, in Lille and passed away on April 16, 1941, in Paris. A pivotal figure in the Post-Impressionist movement, Bernard is closely associated with the Pont-Aven School. His early career was marked by radical innovations, notably the development of Cloisonnism alongside Louis Anquetin and Paul Gauguin between 1887 and 1892. This period saw Bernard pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, leading him towards Synthetism and later Symbolism. His artistic journey took a significant turn in 1893 when he moved to Egypt, where he resided until 1904, gradually shifting towards a classical style inspired by the Old Masters, including the Italian primitives, Venetian painters, Raphael, Nicolas Poussin, and Diego Vélasquez.
Beyond his contributions to visual arts, Bernard was also a prolific writer, though less renowned in this capacity. Under the pseudonym Jean Dorsal, he penned poetry, novels, a play, and art criticism, showcasing his multifaceted talent. Bernard's early life was shaped by his family's relocation due to the Franco-Prussian War, settling near Rouen before moving to Paris in 1878. His artistic education began at the École des Arts Décoratifs, followed by studies at the Collège de Sainte-Barbe and the atelier of Fernand Cormon, where he forged lasting friendships with fellow artists Louis Anquetin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. These relationships were instrumental in his early exposure to the avant-garde circles of Paris, setting the stage for his influential career in art.