#44014 Bernard Cathelin (1919-2004)

The composition presents a landscape rendered in a highly abstracted style. Here we observe a scene dominated by earthy tones – ochres, siennas, and burnt umbers – interspersed with patches of vibrant red and punctuated by areas of deep shadow. The horizon line is elevated, compressing the space and emphasizing the density of forms within the frame.
The artist depicted what appears to be a grove of trees or dense vegetation. These are not rendered naturalistically; instead, they are constructed from blocks of color, their shapes simplified into rounded masses that suggest organic form without precise definition. The brushwork is thick and impastoed, creating a tactile surface that contributes to the overall sense of weight and solidity.
A patch of blue sky appears in the upper portion of the canvas, offering a contrast to the predominantly warm palette below. This area is also treated with broad strokes, lacking detail and contributing to the painting’s flattened perspective. The absence of traditional spatial cues – linear perspective or atmospheric haze – further enhances the feeling of an enclosed, almost claustrophobic environment.
The color red appears prominently in several areas: as a ground plane beneath the trees, as highlights on their surfaces, and as a vertical band that bisects the composition. This intense hue introduces a sense of drama and visual tension, disrupting the otherwise harmonious blend of earth tones.
Subtly, there is an impression of movement or growth within the scene. The rounded forms suggest burgeoning life, while the dense arrangement implies a thriving ecosystem. However, the abstraction prevents any clear narrative from emerging; instead, the painting evokes a feeling – a sense of primal energy and organic vitality filtered through a lens of subjective experience. The lack of human presence contributes to an atmosphere of solitude and introspection, inviting contemplation on the power and mystery of nature.