Entering the Marseille School of Fine Arts at the age of 15, Valère Bernard went to Paris to study under Alexandre Cabanel and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. Also a painter and poet, Bernard wrote texts in Provençal and created paintings and works on paper that blended Symbolist and Provençal influences. In 1896, Bernard met Félicien Rops, who influenced both his engraving and his choice of themes. His friend Alfons Mucha introduced him to lithographic posters. At his first exhibitions in Marseille, critics praised his talent in both etching and painting.