Vincent van Gogh most likely met Emile Bernard in 1886 at Fernand Cormon’s studio where they both studied under the well known portrait painter, or perhaps they met a short time later at Père Tanguy’s shop. Bernard was just 18 years old when he and Van Gogh, 15 years his senior, became friends yet Bernard had already developed his own artistic style.... As much as Van Gogh influenced Bernard, Bernard influenced Van Gogh as well. Van Gogh’s work showed signs of simplification which was perhaps due to Bernard’s influence. ....Bernard was also a writer and created poetry as well as articles concerning modern art. Following Van Gogh’s death he honored his friend with a number of articles including the first published biography on Vincent van Gogh. (http://blog.vangoghgallery.com/index.php/2013/12/04/vincent-van-goghs-friendship-with-emile-bernard-2/) "...Émile Bernard's letter to Albert Aurier provides details of the funeral which was held in the afternoon of 30 July 1890. Van Gogh's body was set out in "the painter's room" where it was surrounded by the "halo" of his last canvases and masses of yellow flowers including dahlias and sunflowers. His easel, folding stool and brushes stood before the coffin. Among those who arrived in the room were artists Lucien Pissarro and Auguste Lauzet. The coffin was carried to the hearse at three o'clock. The company climbed the hill outside Auvers in hot sunshine, Theo and several of the others sobbing pitifully. The little cemetery with new tombstones was on a little hill above fields that were ripe for harvest. Dr Gachet, trying to suppress his tears, stammered out a few words of praise, expressing his admiration for an 'honest man and a great artist... who had only two aims, art and humanity.'" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Vincent_van_Gogh)