#43982 Bernard Cathelin (1919-2004)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around a vase holding several blooms. The flowers themselves appear as soft, rounded forms in muted pink and peach tones, their petals rendered with visible brushstrokes that suggest texture and volume. They are clustered tightly within the vessel, creating a sense of abundance yet also hinting at confinement.
The vase itself is depicted in stark white, its geometric shape contrasting with the organic curves of the flowers. The artist has employed thick impasto to define its edges, giving it a palpable presence against the background. A dark brown band encircles the neck of the vase, adding visual weight and further separating the floral display from the surrounding space.
The backdrop is predominantly black, applied in broad strokes that create an atmosphere of somberness or introspection. The darkness serves to isolate the still life, drawing attention to its delicate colors and forms. A subtle wash of pinkish-brown appears at the base of the composition, suggesting a surface upon which the arrangement rests, but it remains indistinct, contributing to the overall sense of depth and mystery.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of fragility and transience. The flowers, symbols of beauty and life, are presented within a dark, enclosing space, implying their vulnerability and eventual decay. The stark simplicity of the composition, combined with the limited color palette, evokes a mood of quiet contemplation. Theres an understated elegance in the arrangement; it’s not overtly celebratory but rather offers a moment of observation, inviting reflection on the ephemeral nature of beauty and existence. The signature Cathelin 95 is discreetly placed at the lower right corner, anchoring the work within a specific timeframe while maintaining its timeless quality.