Emerik Bernard was born on 22 September 1937 in Celje. Between 1955 and 1960, he attended the School of Design in Ljubljana. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana, graduating in 1965. In 1968, he completed his postgraduate studies in painting under Prof Gabrijel Stupica.
In 1985, Bernard became a lecturer in painting at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he served for many years as a full professor. In 2001, he was elected an associate member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and in 2007, a full member.
From 1974 onward, he was a member of the Slovenian Association of Fine Arts Societies. In 1985, he also served on the editorial board of Likovne besede.
He received numerous awards: the Župančič Award in 1986, the Prešeren Fund Award in 1987, and the Jakopič Award in 1989. In 1997, he was honored with the Prešeren Award for outstanding achievements in visual arts.
Bernard was also an author of books and articles on fine art. His work encompassed drawings, paintings, collages, assemblages and prints. He exhibited widely in both group and solo exhibitions at home and abroad, including the Venice Biennale in 1986.
He was married to the painter Milena Usenik.
He passed away on 2 April 2022 in Logatec.