Brief aan Héloïse Bernard-Bodin Possibly 1896 - 1899

This letter was written by Emile Bernard in Granada on September 3rd, 1896. It offers us a fascinating glimpse into the artist's life and the social context in which he operated. Bernard discusses various topics, including the unreliability of the postal service between Granada and Paris, offering insights into the challenges of communication in that era. He also touches on economic matters, like customs duties and taxes affecting merchants and citizens. Bernard critiques the hypocrisy he observes in Europe, contrasting it with the perceived "barbarity" in which they live. These observations are revealing, highlighting the complex interplay between commerce, culture, and national identity in the late 19th century. Bernard's letter invites us to consider how artists like himself navigated and commented on the social structures of their time. To understand this letter more fully, we might consult historical records about taxation, trade, and postal systems in Europe during the late 1890s, shedding light on the socio-political context that shaped Bernard's perspective.