Claus Bertermann - ELISABETH IN CINQUECENTO (XXL-format)

Artist: Claus Bertermann
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.bertermann.art

Claus Bertermann is an internationally established contemporary artist whose market profile is backed by international market authority and exceptional secondary market results. Known for his powerful, large-format abstract works, Bertermann has consistently commanded high-tier prices at the world’s most prestigious auction houses. His top realized prices include €18,900 at C. h. r. i. s. t. i. e´s Paris (Retro Zen), €15,240 at S. o. t. h. e. b. y´s Cologne (F5TP#CB), and €15,120 at C. h. r. i. s. t. i. e´s Paris (Whispershade). With additional successful sales at V. a. n. H. a. m, A. r. t. c. u. r. i. a. l, T. a. j. a. n, and D. o. r. o. t. h. e. u. m, Bertermann’s work is a proven asset for serious collectors worldwide.

From Architectural Abstraction to the Human Form
With a Master’s degree in Architecture (TU Munich), Bertermann originally gained global recognition for his "architectural strata" technique—layering and scraping oil paint to build spatial depth. Today, he brings this same structural intensity to his figurative practice. His figurative works are not mere depictions but explorations of presence and transience, blending his architectural precision with a raw, Neo-Expressionist energy.

A Global Footprint
With more than 1,000 large format works in private and institutional collections across the globe—including a monumental triptych at his alma mater, the Technical University of Munich—Bertermann continues to bridge the gap between rigorous structure and intuitive freedom. His debut on Catawiki offers a rare opportunity to acquire original figurative works from an artist with a solidified international auction record.

Important details for collectors

– Original, one-of-a-kind artwork - MADE BY A REAL PERSON, NOT AI.
– Size: 180 × 130 cm (70.9 × 51.2 inches)
– Medium: Acrylic and oil crayon on canvas
– Year: 2026
– Signed by the artist on the front and back side
– Ships rolled without frame

The Story behind

Elisabeth in Cinquecento stages a small domestic apocalypse inside a moving vehicle. The composition presents three figures: one drives with professional resignation, while another watches. The central character, elevated by an extravagantly baroque hairstyle, presides over the scene like displaced aristocracy on a routine commute. She smokes, documenting the end of an era with absolute stillness. No dialogue. No eye contact. No rebellion. In Claus Bertermann’s world, Elisabeth becomes an accidental monarch of modern inertia—history compressed into traffic, grandeur reduced to upholstery, and power quietly outsourced to the steering wheel.

Visually, the surface is layered and tactile. Bertermann’s background in architecture is evident in the spatial construction: bold color fields and raw lines create a strong tension between the figures and the claustrophobic interior of the car. Influenced by German Expressionism and Art Brut, the work merges instinctive mark-making with a sophisticated sense of compositional balance.

What makes this piece unique

Elisabeth in Cinquecento is a key example of Bertermann’s unique figurative language. It captures a haunting sense of detachment and modern ritual, using saturated colors and graphic forms to convey a narrative that is both cinematic and static. It stands as a compelling intersection of historical grandeur and contemporary banality.

Why it is worth the price

This work represents Bertermann’s evolving figurative cycle at a significant scale. With a proven track record at major houses like S. o. t. h. e. b. y´s and C. h. r. i. s. t. i. e´s, his pieces offer long-term value. The technical complexity, conceptual clarity, and painterly intensity make this a foundational piece for any serious contemporary collection.

Description and condition

Executed in acrylic and oil crayon on canvas, the surface is textured and expressive, showing bold pigments and deliberate mark-making. The painting is in excellent studio condition and is offered unframed.

Background

Created in 2026, Elisabeth in Cinquecento belongs to Bertermann’s newest body of figurative work. The title juxtaposes a classic name with the "Cinquecento" (referencing both the 16th-century Italian Renaissance and a modern compact car), symbolizing the collision of historical weight and modern transience.

Technical Shipping Note:
The canvas includes an additional continuous white border of approximately 10 cm (approx. 4 inches) on all sides beyond the painted surface. This margin allows the artwork to be professionally restretched on museum-quality stretcher bars up to 5 cm (approx. 2 inches) in depth, resulting in a clean, gallery-style presentation.

Please note that the artwork is sold unframed and without stretcher bars. The painting is shipped rolled for safe international transport. The artwork is signed on both front and reverse, with title, year, and the artist’s full name inscribed on the back.