Symbolic Self-Portrait

1890

A religious crisis and a turn to the Middle Ages

In 1890 Bernard goes through a religious crisis and turns to the subjects and themes of medieval art. In the same year he sets out to revive symbolism, which he saw as Christian in essence — the invisible expressed through the visible.

1891

The break with Gauguin

In 1891 Bernard breaks off his friendship with Gauguin. It was always his great frustration that Gauguin never named him as an influence on pictorial symbolism; one writer says his rivalry with Gauguin led him “out of spite” towards classicism.

1891

Among the Symbolists and the Nabis

In 1891 Bernard joins the group of Symbolist painters that includes Odilon Redon and Ferdinand Hodler, and in the same year becomes a member of the Nabis.

1893–1903

Journeys through Egypt, Italy and Spain

From 1893 to 1903 Bernard travels in Egypt, Italy and Spain, painting mostly religious and Symbolist canvases, and his style grows more eclectic. One writer holds that it was in the Middle East, in a period of great crisis, that he turned to classicism.

1893–1903

Travel: Egypt