#44007 Bernard Cathelin (1919-2004)

The canvas presents a densely packed urban landscape rendered in a style characterized by bold brushstrokes and a predominantly cool color palette. Here we see a cluster of tall structures, seemingly skyscrapers, dominating the composition. Their forms are simplified into geometric blocks, suggesting an emphasis on their sheer scale rather than architectural detail. The artist employed a range of blues – from deep indigo to lighter cerulean – which imbue the scene with a sense of melancholy or perhaps nocturnal atmosphere. Accents of red and pink punctuate the blue tones, adding visual interest and hinting at artificial light sources within the buildings.
The lower portion of the painting depicts what appears to be water, reflecting the forms above in an abstracted manner. This mirroring effect blurs the distinction between reality and reflection, creating a sense of disorientation or dreamlike quality. The brushwork here is particularly vigorous, with thick impasto adding texture and dynamism to the surface.
The overall impression is one of overwhelming urban density and perhaps alienation. The lack of human figures contributes to this feeling; the buildings stand as silent monoliths, devoid of life beyond their implied function. One might interpret the painting as a commentary on the impersonal nature of modern city living, or a visual representation of the psychological impact of towering structures on the individual. The color choices and loose application of paint suggest an emotional response to the subject matter rather than a purely objective depiction. There’s a palpable tension between the rigid geometry of the buildings and the fluidity of the brushstrokes, which could be read as a symbolic representation of the conflict between human order and natural chaos.