Emile Bernard (French, 1868-1941)
recto: Landscape with Two People
Watercolor and pencil on paper
Signed in pencil lower right
verso: Untitled
Charcoal and pencil on paper
Unsigned
Paper: 12.5 x 19.5 in / 31,75 x 49,5 cm
Framed: 19 x 26 in / 48,25 x 66 cm

Provenance:
Hirschl & Adler Gallery, New York
Private Collection
By family descent to current owner

Exhibited:
Hirschl & Adler Gallery, New York

“Landscape with Two People” landscape betrays a favorite subject of Emile Bernard’s. Many of his works portray women in bucolic settings, often depicted as small figures in a vast frame, dwarfed by the nature surrounding them. In this regard, this landscape has much in common with many of Bernard’s best works, however, what is distinctive about this piece is its form. In the late 1800’s Bernard’s work veered from expressionist to pointillist to synthetist and cloisonnist, as he embraced a variety of expressive mediums. This landscape hints at his future work with the bold forms and lines of synthetism and cloisonnism, but the depth in color and shading prevents it from being considered as such. It is unclear, however, what the final intentions for this work were as pencil notations referring to various colors - rose, vert, and others - hint that this might have been a study for a larger painting.

The charcoal and pencil drawing on the verso of this watercolor is also likely a study for a larger painting. Although clearly unfinished, it is of a similar subject, also with numerous pencil notation indicating the colors to be used – vert, orange, rouge – and references to arbres (trees) and terrain (land).

This is an online only sale. Items may be viewed upon appointment in New York City.

Notice to bidders: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in excellent condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or call Guernsey's at 212-794-2280 to request a more thorough condition report. Notwithstanding any condition report or discussion concerning a lot, all lots are offered and sold “as is” in accordance with the condition of sale.