#44035 Bernard Cathelin (1919-2004)

The drawing presents a study of flowering plants, rendered in black ink on what appears to be paper. Here we see two blooms dominating the composition, their large petals unfurling with a sense of delicate strength. The artist has employed a technique that emphasizes line and texture over tonal variation; the absence of color directs attention towards the form and structure of the subject matter.
The stems supporting the flowers are depicted with a dense hatching, creating a visual weight that contrasts with the lightness of the petals. This contrast contributes to an impression of upward movement and vitality. The artist’s hand seems to have moved quickly, capturing the essence of the blooms through a series of confident strokes. Theres a looseness in the rendering; details are suggested rather than meticulously defined, which lends a sense of immediacy and spontaneity to the work.
The arrangement of the flowers suggests an interest in observation and documentation. The composition is relatively simple, focusing solely on the botanical subject. This simplicity could be interpreted as a desire to reveal the inherent beauty and structure of these plants, stripped bare of any extraneous elements. Theres a quiet dignity in this presentation; it’s not celebratory or overtly emotional, but rather an act of careful looking and recording.
Subtly, the drawing might allude to themes of growth, fragility, and the transient nature of beauty. The flowers, at their peak bloom, are inherently ephemeral, and the artists choice to depict them in this moment captures a fleeting instance of perfection. The starkness of the black ink on white background further accentuates this sense of vulnerability and impermanence.