He poses in shades of deep blue, has a clear and serious look, wears a full red goatee and mustache, and his broad forehead is hidden by his Spanish-looking hat. In 2025, visitors to the Pont-Aven Museum will be able to stare Émile Bernard straight in the eye, thanks to the self-portrait that the institution has just acquired.
An essential figure of the Pont-Aven School, Émile Bernard (1868-1941) represented himself extensively. Around forty self-portraits of the artist are thus listed. But from its Spanish period, only three had so far been located, in museums in Amsterdam and Roubaix, as well as in a private collection. This is the fourth in the series.
From Bernard… to Picasso
Painted in 1897, this 45 x 40.5 cm oil on canvas is not a witness to the Pont-Aven School. “But rather the stylistic developments of certain painters, after they left Pont-Aven,” underlines Sophie Kervran, the museum curator.
At the end of the 19th century, Émile Bernard had, in fact, left the banks of the Aven a few years ago, angry with Gauguin. After passing through Egypt, he undertook “a somewhat depressing journey to Spain,” continues Sophie Kervran. And he has a revelation when he discovers, in churches, certain works, like those of Zurbarán. He then abandoned the synthetism specific to the Pont-Aven School for things a little more classic.” She even mentions a possible influence on another master. “Picasso saw Émile Bernard’s self-portraits from that period,” she says. And this just before the Spanish artist entered his “blue period”.
To be seen in June 2025
This self-portrait was previously only known from a black and white photo. Before it was released last spring via a public sale at Christie's. This acquisition was therefore made by pre-emption, at a price of €40,000 (excluding costs). A purchase carried out by Concarneau Cornouaille Agglomération, with the participation of the association of Friends of the museum and the State. “It’s an important work for our collections,” assures the curator, recalling that it echoes another recent acquisition, a pastel portrait of Émile Bernard by Émile Schuffenecker.
Still, the public will have to wait to catch Émile Bernard's gaze. This self-portrait will only be exhibited in June 2025, as part of the museum's 40th anniversary and a display bringing together works by Bernard and Gauguin. A silent dialogue but which can prove rich.
