Self-portrait (1897)

Dated 1897, "Self-portrait" is an artwork by Emile Bernard. Historical background, 1897: In the 1890s, colour lithography and Art Nouveau made the illustrated poster a celebrated art form. Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. The catalogue places it in Figurative. The format is portrait. Background on Figurative: Portraits, group scenes, studies of the nude, and pictures of daily life all belong to figurative art. Over the centuries, painters have used the figure to express social standing, narrative, and emotion.

Buying "Self-portrait" means getting a digital file, not a physical print: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI, delivered by email once payment is confirmed. A 300 DPI file is intended for printing at home or at a local print shop, where you can choose a matte, satin, or fine-art paper to suit the room. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Figurative works draw attention to the human presence, the gesture, and the emotional tone, so they work particularly well as a standalone focal point in living rooms, studies, and bedrooms. A simple frame with a mat often helps an image settle comfortably into a room. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

French, 1868–1941

If you like the visual language of Emile Bernard, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.