Emile Bernard

French, 1868 - 1941

Explore selected works

The image shows two individuals in a body of water surrounded by water lilies and tall grass. One figure is fully nude, standing with their back to the viewer, holding the other figure who is partially draped in a cloth. The second individual is leaning backward with their head slightly inclined, featuring softly defined facial features and loosely drawn back hair. In the background, there are outlines of a landscape with hills in the distance and more foliage along the water's edge.
Emile Bernard, Couple Standing in Water, 1915, etching printed in red on Japanese paper, Gift of Frank Anderson Trapp, 2003.118.3

Couple Standing in Water

Emile Bernard · 1915 · etching printed in red on Japanese paper ·  Accession ID  2003.118.3
The drawing shows a crucifixion scene with a figure on a cross and another figure seated at the base. The style is reminiscent of woodcut prints with bold black lines on a neutral background. The figure on the cross has a halo. The somber expression and positioning of the figures give a sense of solemnity. Sketched hills or landscape features are in the background.
Emile Bernard, Christ, 1891/1892, published 1894, woodcut in black on laid cream paper, Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection, 2000.180.43

Christ

Emile Bernard · 1891/1892, published 1894 · woodcut in black on laid cream paper ·  Accession ID  2000.180.43
The image features a full-length portrait of a standing person. The person is positioned upright, with their upper body slightly turned towards the left. The facial features are stylized, with a simple smile and flowing hair. The person is depicted wearing a long garment with distinct layers or textures. There is a suggestion of a hat on their head. One hand holds an indistinct object, while the other hand is by their side. In the background on the right, there is a silhouette of another figure, less detailed. The artwork is rendered in a monochrome style with a textured, pinkish-red background.
Emile Bernard, Woman with a Muff (La Dame au Manchon), 1891/1892, woodcut printed in purple-red on dark pink wove paper, Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection, 2000.180.51.a

Woman with a Muff (La Dame au Manchon)

Emile Bernard · 1891/1892 · woodcut printed in purple-red on dark pink wove paper ·  Accession ID  2000.180.51.a
The image shows an illustration of a person standing next to a tree in a village setting. The person has long dark hair, wearing a hat with a yellow band, a long skirt with a blue polka dot pattern, and a long-sleeved orange striped top. They are holding an umbrella. The background features buildings and hills, with a church in the distance. The image is created with bold lines and flat areas of color in yellow, blue, and orange, with integrated text.
Emile Bernard, Susurrements, poèsies par Hébert-Milnard, 1890, photomechanical reproduction (of a woodcut) with hand coloring on Japanese paper, Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection, 2001.136.1

Susurrements, poèsies par Hébert-Milnard

Emile Bernard · 1890 · photomechanical reproduction (of a woodcut) with hand coloring on Japanese paper ·  Accession ID  2001.136.1
The image contains curving and zigzagging lines within a rectangular section on a red background. Some lines converge to form shapes resembling faces or animal heads with stylized eyes and snouts. The central abstract formations could be interpreted as landscapes or flowing water, contrasting with the rectangular form.
Emile Bernard, Laundry (La Lessive), 1889, woodcut on dark pink wove paper, Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection, 2000.180.51.b

Laundry (La Lessive)

Emile Bernard · 1889 · woodcut on dark pink wove paper ·  Accession ID  2000.180.51.b
The image features bold, sweeping lines and blocky shapes that create an abstract composition. The figures have rounded heads and draped garments, resembling people sitting and standing. Towards the right, the forms intricately intertwine, suggesting a face with long ears and simple, slit-like eyes. The abstract nature of the artwork sparks recognition of possible human and animalistic forms within a textured landscape.
Emile Bernard, Laundry (La Lessive), 1889, woodcut on Japanese paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1950.17.9

Laundry (La Lessive)

Emile Bernard · 1889 · woodcut on Japanese paper ·  Accession ID  1950.17.9
The image shows three individuals. Two of them are depicted from the midsection upwards. The person on the far left is wearing a dark coat and a black hat, with most of the hair covered. Beside this person is another character wearing a dark hat that casts a shadow over the eyes, along with a white garment under a dark cloak-like outerwear. To the right, a third person’s upper body is shown, facing towards the other two. This person has orange or blond hair, styled close to the head and is wearing a red hat and a cloak or coat in a purple hue. The background features tall trees and a pale green landscape, suggesting an outdoor setting like a park or forest. Two shadowy figures are in the distance amongst the trees, giving depth to the scene. The edges of the image are uneven, framing the figures within a softly colored and sketched surrounding.
Emile Bernard, La Promenade, 1888 (dated 1890), lithograph (zinc) with hand coloring on wove paper, Rosenwald Collection, 1964.8.339

La Promenade

Emile Bernard · 1888 (dated 1890) · lithograph (zinc) with hand coloring on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1964.8.339
The image shows two figures in a classical, stylized manner. The seated figure is dressed in a toga-like garment, with an exposed chest and muscular form. This figure appears aged, with a wrinkled face, bushy beard, and bald head, looking intently at the standing figure. The standing figure has wavy hair styled away from the face and is holding a large jug, pouring liquid into a goblet held by the seated figure. The background includes simple architectural elements with a suggestion of drapery and horizontal lines. The image is rendered in a monochromatic scheme with bold outlines and shaded areas.
Emile Bernard, Man Pouring from Jug, 1930, woodcut in brown and black on laid paper, Gift of Frank Anderson Trapp, 2003.118.4

Man Pouring from Jug

Emile Bernard · 1930 · woodcut in brown and black on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2003.118.4
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Bulletin de l'Ymagier (No. 3)

Maurice Delcourt, Henri-Gustave Jossot, Georges d' Espagnat, Emile Bernard, Armand Séguin · April 1895 · periodical/magazine ·  Accession ID  2001.136.76
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Catalogue de L'Exposition de Peintures du Groupe Impressionniste et Synthétiste Faite dans le local de M. Volpini au Champ-de-Mars

Various Artists, Paul Gauguin, Emile Schuffenecker, Emile Bernard, Louis Roy, Léon Fauché, Georges Daniel de Monfreid, Lodovic Némo · 1889 · bound volume with eight lithographs (zinc) plus exhibition invitation ·  Accession ID  2000.180.30