Autoportrait au vase de fleurs (1897)

Bernard, Émile (1868-1941)

Autoportrait au vase de fleurs (Self-portrait with a vase of flowers)
1897
Oil on canvas, 52 x 42 cm
RijksmuseumAmsterdam

‘A nos amis de Hollande‘ (to our friends in the Netherlands), Bernard wrote at the top left. He meant the family of Andries Bonger, to whom he donated this self-portrait. Bernard was part of the Nabis, the group around Paul Gauguin, and was friends with Vincent van Gogh and Jan Verkade. For his self-portrait he used synthetism or cloissonism as a style: clearly defined, simple shapes and few colors. (RIJKS)