#44012 Bernard Cathelin (1919-2004)

The composition presents a stark division between upper and lower registers, dominated by contrasting color fields. The upper portion is rendered in deep blues, applied with broad, visible brushstrokes that suggest a mountainous or atmospheric expanse. These strokes are not blended; instead, they retain their individual character, contributing to a sense of raw energy and immediacy.
Below this blue mass lies a field of intense yellow, similarly executed with thick, textured application. A series of dark, horizontal lines intersect both the blue and yellow areas, appearing as fragmented structures or barriers. These lines are not precisely defined; they seem to emerge from and recede into the surrounding color, blurring their edges and creating an ambiguous spatial relationship.
The overall effect is one of tension and confinement. The heavy blue above presses down on the vibrant yellow below, while the dark lines suggest a system of control or division. Theres a deliberate lack of detail; no specific objects are identifiable beyond these broad color masses and fragmented forms. This absence encourages interpretation – the viewer is invited to project their own meaning onto the abstract arrangement.
The painting’s subtexts might revolve around themes of restriction, power dynamics, or perhaps even a symbolic representation of landscape altered by human intervention. The stark contrast between the colors could signify opposing forces, while the fragmented lines hint at disruption and instability. The absence of traditional perspective contributes to a feeling of disorientation, further amplifying the sense of unease and ambiguity inherent in the work.