A True Friend

                                             Emile Bernard: Self-portrait with Portrait of Gauguin                1888

       I am writing about Emile Bernard’s self-portrait because he was a true friend of Vincent and because he attended his small funeral. They met at the Atelier Cormon, where they studied art along with Toulouse-Lautrec and Louis Anquetin. They both formed friendship with Vincent but only Bernard’s lasted long.

      Bernard was fifteen years Vincent’s junior and looked at Vincent as some kind of father or big brother. They exchanged their works all the time and wrote letters on the other’s work frequently, as Vincent was an avid correspondent. Bernard’s self-portrait is dedicated to his friend because Vincent suggested to Gauguin and Bernard to create self-portraits in exchange to the other friend’s portrait.

      When Vincent received Bernard’s and Gauguin’s paintings, he liked Bernard’s very much because, as he wrote, “It is just the inner vision of a painter, a few abrupt tones, a few dark lines, but it has the distinction of a real, real Manet.” He was right: it is a simple painting but very impressive in terms of the painter’s expression. Bernard looks determined in a serene way, with sturdy lips under a ginger moustache and a boheme-style hat. His regard is sad a little bit but also thoughtful and warm.

       Bernard wears a brown coat similar to what Vincent wears on his version of the exchanged self-portrait. Gauguin’s portrait on the wall is simple, without colors. He looks downwards and wears a costume and hat like a renaissance master’s attire. The wall’s sky-blue shade is just wonderful, and reflects a clear innocence. Bernard stays in the corner of the composition.

       Bernard made his friend very happy with this painting. I do not think they ever met after the exchange; Vincent died in less than two years, but until then they stayed in touch through letters. When Vincent died, Bernard went down to his funeral and right after, he and Theo Van Gogh started to find a place in Paris to exhibit Vincent’s works. They were refused at every gallery. Theo then exhibited his beloved brother’s paintings in his own home with the help of Bernard. It is such a kind, heart-warming attempt to preserve his memory on Earth. But Theo suffered from the loss so much and died six months after Vincent.

       Bernard kept exhibiting in Theo’s apartment with no effect, then finally sent all the paintings to Theo’s widow, Jo, in the Netherlands. Bernard left for Italy and did not come back until later and helped to organize Van Gogh exhibitions with the art dealer Vollard. Little by little the world understood Vincent’s genius.

How did Vincent use to say goodbye to Theo and Bernard in his letters?

“A good handshake to you. Good-bye for now.

Vincent.”