1884–1885 · Wirkungsort
Paris
1884–1886
Cormon's atelier, Anquetin and Toulouse-Lautrec
After beginning at the École des Arts Décoratifs, Bernard joins Fernand Cormon's atelier, in 1884 by some accounts and in 1886 by others. There he experiments with Impressionism and Pointillism and befriends Louis Anquetin and Toulouse-Lautrec; he also meets van Gogh there.
August 1886
First meeting with Gauguin in Pont-Aven
In August 1886 in Pont-Aven Bernard meets Gauguin for the first time; they exchange little about art but look forward to meeting again. Looking back, Bernard said his own talent was already fully developed, and he believed that his style played a considerable part in the development of Gauguin's mature style.
1887
Cloisonnism, developed together with Anquetin
In 1887 Bernard and Louis Anquetin develop cloisonnism — bold forms separated by dark contours; in the spring they “turn against Neo-Impressionism”. Many, however, credit Anquetin with the technique, and Bernard was probably also influenced by the works of Cézanne he had seen.
1887–1888
An exhibition in the restaurant on the Avenue de Clichy
Back in Paris, Bernard attends the Académie Julian and meets van Gogh, who is impressed by his work. He finds a restaurant on the Avenue de Clichy where his work is shown alongside that of van Gogh, Anquetin and Toulouse-Lautrec; van Gogh calls the group the “School of the Petit Boulevard”.
1888
On foot to Pont-Aven: friendship with Gauguin
A year later Bernard again sets out for Pont-Aven on foot and sees Gauguin; their friendship and artistic partnership quickly grow strong. Bernard wants an art of the most extreme simplicity, accessible to all and practised collectively, and Gauguin is impressed by his ability to put his ideas into words. Other accounts have him living in Pont-Aven in 1886–1888 and joining the Pont-Aven group.