#44011 Bernard Cathelin (1919-2004)

The composition presents a stark landscape divided into distinct horizontal bands. A deep blue occupies the upper portion, serving as a backdrop for a luminous white structure that appears almost detached from the scene below. This structure is rendered with minimal detail, its form simplified to a geometric block.
Beneath this sky and building lies an expansive field dominated by shades of yellow – ochre, gold, and lemon – creating a sense of vastness and perhaps even oppressive heat. The application of paint appears textured, suggesting a deliberate roughness in the execution. A dark brown line delineates the transition between the yellow field and the blue sky, reinforcing the separation of these elements.
Within this yellow expanse, a fragmented figure is discernible. It’s difficult to ascertain its precise form; it seems to be reclining or perhaps entangled within the landscape itself. The figures color blends with the surrounding yellow, suggesting a merging with the environment, a loss of individual identity, or even a state of vulnerability and exposure.
The painting evokes feelings of isolation and alienation. The stark contrast between the blue sky, white structure, and the expansive yellow field creates a sense of distance and detachment. The obscured figure within the landscape suggests a narrative of struggle or confinement. The limited palette and simplified forms contribute to an overall mood of austerity and introspection. One might interpret this as a visual exploration of human existence within a vast, indifferent world, where individual identity is diminished by overwhelming forces.