Bridge at Pont-Aven, 1891

The women crossing the bridge into the rural village of Pont–Aven wear traditional headdresses whose forms echo the flapping wings of the geese. The figures, vegetation, and architecture are all defined by clearly demarcated areas of color and short vertical brushstrokes. Drawing inspiration from Japanese prints, cloisonné enamels, and medieval stained glass, Emile Bernard suppresses the descriptive details of the forms in favor of areas of intensely saturated color, decorative forms, and strong outlines. Bernard sought out the remote village of Pont–Aven in Brittany because he believed that there he could find an authentic culture unspoiled by urban life.