Claus Bertermann - Le 55 (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 (H x W): 130 × 180 cm (51.2 × 70.9 inches)
– Medium: Acrylic and oil crayon on canvas
– Year: 2026
– Signed by the artist on the front and back side
– Ships rolled without frame


What makes this piece unique

"Le 55" captures a familiar ritual of contemporary luxury: people gathered together, yet emotionally distant. Inspired by observations at the legendary beach club near Saint-Tropez, the painting explores the subtle contradiction between apparent indifference and the universal desire to be seen.

At first glance, the figures appear detached, absorbed in their own worlds. Yet beneath the vibrant colors and playful atmosphere lies a quieter tension. The central figure seems lost in thought, while the second figure lingers almost like a projection, memory, or reflection. Both occupy the same social space, yet remain psychologically separate. The painting asks a simple question: in environments built around visibility, who is truly being seen?

In his figurative works, Claus Bertermann deliberately avoids realism in favor of emotional compression. Faces become fragmented into energetic planes of color, while bold contour lines hold the composition together. Rather than documenting a specific moment, he distills an atmosphere — one that feels both glamorous and strangely lonely.

The work was inspired by direct observations at Le 55, where effortless elegance, social performance, and quiet vulnerability coexist. Bertermann transforms these impressions into a vivid psychological portrait of contemporary social life.

Why it is worth the price

This is a large-scale, one-of-a-kind painting that combines strong visual impact with a layered conceptual narrative. Measuring 180 × 130 cm, the work commands presence while remaining emotionally accessible.

The painting reflects Bertermann’s ongoing exploration of human behavior within contemporary society. Here, the subject is neither the famous beach club itself nor the individuals depicted, but the emotional dynamics that unfold within such environments. The tension between confidence and insecurity, visibility and isolation, creates a subject matter that remains universally relevant.

Executed with expressive brushwork, bold color relationships, and a distinctive figurative language, the work demonstrates a mature balance between spontaneity and compositional control. The vibrant palette immediately attracts attention, while the psychological depth reveals itself gradually over time.

For collectors, Le 55 represents both a striking visual statement and a thoughtful reflection on modern identity, status, and belonging.

Visual description & condition

The composition is dominated by two stylized figures set against a luminous green background. The foreground figure occupies most of the canvas, rendered through angular forms and an intense mosaic of saturated blues, greens, violets, oranges, and reds. A crown of swirling curls frames the face, creating a visual rhythm that contrasts with the figure’s introspective expression.

Behind and to the right appears a second figure, painted with lighter, more translucent colors. This figure seems to emerge from the background, creating a dreamlike spatial ambiguity and reinforcing the painting’s psychological dimension.

A small cocktail glass in the lower right corner subtly references the social setting without becoming illustrative. The overall atmosphere balances celebration and contemplation, energy and stillness.

The surface displays visible painterly gestures and layered applications of acrylic paint. Paint roller strokes remain active and expressive throughout, contributing to the immediacy of the image.

The work is unframed and not stretched.

Condition is excellent. All surface irregularities are intentional and integral to the artist’s process.

Background / artistic context

Claus Bertermann works within contemporary expressive figurative painting, focusing on states of being rather than representation. His figures function as carriers of internal conditions — suspended, vulnerable, unresolved.

By separating painterly gesture (acrylic with roller) from drawing (oil crayon silhouettes), Claus Bertermann creates a dialogue between body and space, control and exposure. Almost embodies this method precisely: a distilled emotional presence shaped through physical movement and intuitive line.

Practical details for buyers

Original, one-of-a-kind artwork
Acrylic and oil crayon on canvas
Size (H x W): 130 × 180 cm (51.2 × 70.9 inches)
Signed by the artist on the front and back side
Certificate of authenticity included
Shipped rolled (not framed or stretched)
Professional packaging and worldwide shipping with premium shipping companies like UPS.

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.