Artwork

Les Bretonneries: Title Page (Page de Titre)

Les Bretonneries: Title Page (Page de Titre), by Émile Bernard, 1889
Les Bretonneries: Title Page (Page de Titre), by Émile Bernard, 1889

Les Bretonneries: Title Page (Page de Titre) is a print by the Impressionist artist Émile Bernard. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Les Bretonneries: Title Page (Page de Titre) is a 1889 print by French Post-Impressionist Émile Bernard, associated with Cloisonnism and Synthetism movements. It features two seated figures in a dimly lit, wood-paneled room, with blurred faces and a branch-like object, accompanied by the title text and the artist's signature.

Subject & Meaning

The subject depicts two individuals in a contemplative, possibly somber atmosphere, suggested by the dark tones and muted setting. The blurred faces and simple, natural prop (resembling a branch with leaves) may imply a focus on quiet, everyday moments or emotional states rather than individual identities.

Technique & Style

Characterized by a rough, sketchy quality and pronounced dark contrasts, the print exhibits a hand-drawn, raw aesthetic. These visual elements align with Bernard's affiliation to Cloisonnism and Synthetism, emphasizing expressive simplicity and flat, two-dimensional forms.

History & Provenance

Created in 1889, the work is now part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Bernard's connections to notable artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cézanne contextualize the piece within a significant circle of late 19th-century innovators.

Context

Emerging from the Post-Impressionist movement, Les Bretonneries reflects the era's shift towards expressive, non-naturalistic representations. Bernard's involvement with Cloisonnism and Synthetism further situates the work within a specific avant-garde trajectory of the time.

Legacy

As part of Bernard's oeuvre and the broader Post-Impressionist canon, Les Bretonneries contributes to the historical narrative of early modern art movements. Its presence in a prominent museum collection ensures ongoing study and appreciation within the context of late 19th-century European art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Émile Bernard

Artist

Émile Bernard

Émile Henri Bernard (French pronunciation: ; 28 April 1868 – 16 April 1941) was a French Post-Impressionist painter and writer, who had artistic friendships with Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Eugène Boch, and at a later time, Paul…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.