Claus Bertermann - VIRGEN EXTRA (XXL-format)

Artist Profile: Claus Bertermann
Portfolio: www.bertermann.art

International Market Authority & Secondary Market Success
Claus Bertermann is an internationally established contemporary artist whose market profile is backed by 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: 200 × 150 cm (78.7 × 59.1 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

Virgen Extra depicts a distinguished gentleman calmly drinking extra virgin olive oil straight from the bottle. The act is performed with impeccable composure and absolute conviction. No explanation is offered, nor required. In Claus Bertermann’s world, this becomes a perfectly rational gesture: when markets fluctuate, narratives collapse, and meaning is endlessly rebranded, one simply consumes refinement directly. The painting delivers a quiet satire of contemporary culture and the art system alike—where taste is preserved, absurdity is normalized, and even luxury loses its purpose while maintaining its price tag.

Visually explosive and emotionally direct, the composition combines bold color fields, expressive line work, and raw gesture. Bertermann’s background in architecture is evident in the structural clarity beneath the chaos: layered planes, deliberate spatial tension, and a carefully balanced composition anchor the vivid energy of the piece. Influenced by German Expressionism and Art Brut, the work merges instinctive mark-making with architectural discipline.

What makes this piece unique

Virgen Extra marks a key moment in Bertermann’s current figurative phase. The painting blends satire, social commentary, and painterly intensity, using exaggerated color and graphic forms to convey both humor and unease. It is a one-of-a-kind work that stands at the intersection of contemporary figurative painting and expressive abstraction.

Why it is worth the price

This artwork represents Bertermann’s evolving figurative language at museum scale. His works have been placed internationally, including through major auction houses such as S. o. t. h. e. b. y´s and C. h. r. i. s. t. i. e´s. The size, technical complexity, and conceptual strength make this a significant collector piece from a rapidly developing contemporary practice.

Description and condition

Executed in acrylic and oil crayon on canvas, the surface shows intentional texture, visible strokes, and layered pigments. Colors are vibrant and saturated, with strong contrasts and graphic detailing. The painting is in excellent studio condition and is offered unframed.

Background

Created in 2026, Virgen Extra belongs to Bertermann’s newest body of figurative work, in which he explores modern rituals, identity, and cultural overload with a distinctly sarcastic tone. The title references extra virgin olive oil—here transformed into a symbol of refined absurdity.

Bold, provocative, and unapologetically contemporary, Virgen Extra is a statement piece designed for collectors seeking figurative art with edge, scale, and conceptual depth.

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, frameless, gallery-style presentation without the need for a decorative frame.

Please note that the artwork is sold unframed and without stretcher bars. Professional stretching is the responsibility of the buyer. The painting is shipped rolled for safe international transport and flexible installation according to the buyer’s preference.

The artwork is signed on both front and reverse, with title, year, and the artist’s full name inscribed on the back.