Who painted Cauchemar (Nightmare)?

Cauchemar (Nightmare) was painted by Valère Bernard in 1895.

Where can I see Cauchemar (Nightmare)?

Cauchemar (Nightmare) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cauchemar (Nightmare)?

Cauchemar (Nightmare) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Cauchemar (Nightmare)?

Museum-quality prints of Cauchemar (Nightmare) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Cauchemar (Nightmare)

Valère Bernard , 1895

Cauchemar (Nightmare) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Valère Bernard. It dates from 1895 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in graphite: 2e état. / Valère Bernard; lower right in plate: VALERE BERNARD; lower left verso in graphite: 00.0.644

About this work

Overview

Valère Bernard’s 1895 print Cauchemar, rendered in soft‑ground etching and aquatint on wove paper, presents a nightmarish tableau dominated by stark contrasts of black and white. The composition centers on a contorted human figure whose head is thrown back and mouth opened in a silent scream, while a large amphibian perches atop the skull and serpents coil around the torso.

Subject & Meaning

The unsettling imagery evokes a sense of terror and confinement, suggesting a psychological nightmare in which the figure is besieged by animal symbols traditionally associated with poison and transformation. The juxtaposition of the grotesque creature and the anguished posture invites interpretation as an allegory of inner dread or a commentary on the anxieties of modern life.

Technique & Style

Bernard employed soft‑ground etching to capture the fluid, almost organic lines of the figure and surrounding fauna, while aquatint provided deep, velvety blacks that engulf the scene. The limited palette and the stark white cross‑like mark in the background heighten the visual tension, a hallmark of Symbolist printmaking that favors mood over narrative detail.

History & Provenance

Created in the late nineteenth century, Cauchemar reflects Bernard’s engagement with the Symbolist movement prevalent in France during the 1890s. The print has circulated in private collections and occasional museum exhibitions, though its exact ownership trail remains sparsely documented.

Context

The work aligns with contemporary explorations of the subconscious, echoing the themes of fear and the uncanny found in the writings of Baudelaire and the visual experiments of artists such as Odilon Redon. Its dark iconography situates it within a broader artistic preoccupation with nightmares as a source of artistic inspiration.