[VAN GOGH] BERNARD, Émile (1868-1941)

[VAN GOGH] BERNARD, Émile (1868-1941)

Les Hommes d’Aujourd’hui
First edition [1891], n°390, 4 pp. in-4°
Slight browning, otherwise fine condition throughout

Extremely rare original copy of the issue dedicated to Van Gogh by his friend Émile Bernard

The frontispiece of this legendary issue was created by Émile Bernard, a close friend of the cursed painter.
He signed:
« Vincent
d’après un portrait
fait par lui »
This work taken up by Bernard could correspond to two self-portraits made by the master, both entitled Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat and made in the summer of 1887. The first, very accomplished, is kept at the Detroit Institute of Arts (F526). The second, less rich in background but just as striking, is kept in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (F469).

Emile Bernard was one of the few to understand Van Gogh during his lifetime, from their first meeting in Cormon’s studio, and then at the home of Father Tanguy, their colour dealer. Here he draws up a short and brilliant obituary of his friend. This booklet is one of the first articles dedicated to the artist shortly after his passing, and the first step in a campaign led by Bernard to promote his friend’s work.

The copies of this legendary issue are of a very scarce. This one, in a condition close to new, is all the more precious.